Fizzy drinks ban needed to protect children's health, say dental group

Fizzy drinks should be age-restricted in order to tackle rising childhood obesity and tooth decay, a leading dentists’ charity has said.

The Dental Wellness Trust, a British NGO which fights poor dental hygiene in the developing world, is calling for an outright ban on children under the age of six consuming the high-sugar drinks, and rules preventing them being sold to children under twelve in shops.

Writing in The Telegraph, the charity applauds the Government’s long awaited “sugar tax”, which came into force on Friday, but said further “bold and brave” policies are needed to improve the health of British children, one in five of whom now leaves primary school obese.

The Soft Drinks Industry Levy imposes a tax of 18p per litre on soft drinks containing five to seven grams of sugar per 100ml, and a 24p per litre for more than eight grams per 100ml.

Milkshakes are exempt, but this week George Osborne, who announced the tax in 2016, backed extending the measure to sugary milk-based products.

The former Chancellor said he “suspects” the Treasury will extend the tax, which he described as one of his proudest achievements in Government.

Dr Linda Greenwall, founder of the Dental Wellness Trust, writes: “The DWT believes now is the time for a bold and brave evidence-based health policy that directly tackles one of the biggest challenges to child health that our generation has seen.

“An age restriction and ban would have a fast and effective impact on the consumption of these drinks, ultimately helping to improve the health of our children, not to mention relieve the strain already on our health service.”