Boris Johnson faces backlash over his war on ‘sin taxes’: Health experts warn levy on sugar is ‘vital’ after Tory front runner complains the poorest families are being ‘clobbered’
- Tory leadership frontrunner has promised to review Theresa May’s sugar tax
- He also vowed to freeze new taxes on foods which are high in salt, fat or sugar
- But the Royal Society for Public Health warned you ‘cannot outrun a bad diet’
Boris Johnson is facing a backlash today after he declared war on ‘sin taxes’ – complaining that they ‘clobber’ the poorest families.
The Tory leadership frontrunner pledged to review the government’s flagship sugar tax on fizzy drinks if he reaches No10, and insisted it will not be extended to milkshakes.
He also vowed to freeze new taxes on foods which are high in salt, fat or sugar – and argued those who want to lose weight should just exercise more.
The policy would amount to a major reversal of government efforts to combat obesity.
The announcement – which came as charities warned obesity is now a bigger cause of many cancers than smoking – sparked an immediate backlash from health campaigners who accused Mr Johnson of ‘turning back the clock’.
The Royal Society for Public Health argued you ‘cannot outrun a bad diet’ and said it was wrong to put the onus on individuals to change their habits.
Others pointed out that Mr Johnson had himself introduced a sugar tax in City Hall when he was Mayor of London.
Boris Johnson has promised to review the government’s flagship sugar tax on fizzy drinks if he reaches No10, and insisted it will not be extended to milkshakes
In one of his most significant policy announcements to date, Mr Johnson questioned whether there is clear evidence that ‘sin stealth taxes’ work.
‘The recent proposal for a tax on milkshakes seems to me to clobber those who can least afford it,’ he said.
‘If we want people to lose weight and live healthier lifestyles, we should encourage people to walk, cycle and generally do more exercise.’
A levy on soft drinks was introduced in April 2018 in an attempt to cut the amount of sugar they contain.
Aides said Mr Johnson’s policy will not apply to other sin taxes such as those on cigarettes and alcohol.
Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell stressed the significance of the taxes and praised their success in lowering smoking rates and removing sugar from diets.
‘Taxes on less healthy products do have a positive effect,’ she said.
‘They have been highly effective in bringing down smoking rates to record lows, including within deprived communities, and the Treasury’s own analysis showed the tax on sugary drinks took 90 million kg of sugar out of the nation’s diet on day one.
‘Physical activity is one way to lose weight but the Government also has a big role to play if we are to significantly reduce obesity levels.’
The Obesity Health Alliance’s Caroline Cerny said voluntary programmes for the food industry to cut sugar ‘have not had the same success’ as the tax.
‘The levy is supported by the public and welcomed by a wide range of health experts and is vitally needed as part of a package of measures to help create a healthier environment for everyone,’ she said.
Allies of Jeremy Hunt said the policy exposed divisions in Mr Johnson’s camp.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock – a backer of Mr Johnson – recently signed off extending the sugar tax to milkshakes, and a ban on sales of energy drinks to children.
Mr Hunt’s side said this showed Mr Johnson’s ‘own team are profoundly against’ his policies.
The move was hailed by low-tax activists, however.
Daniel Pryor of the Adam Smith Institute said: ‘It’s about time someone stood up against the killjoys who want to ban Tony the Tiger and force you to pay more for your sugary drinks.’

But the Royal Society for Public Health argued you ‘cannot outrun a bad diet’ and said it was wrong to put the onus on individuals to change their habits (file photo)