Experts believe that a tax of 7p per regular sized can of soft drink with added sugar could generate £1 billion per year.
The petition, which is supported by Sustain, states that the revenue should be ring-fenced to support preventative strategies in the NHS and schools around childhood obesity and diet related disease.
Last week, a documentary aired on Channel 4, which saw Jamie Oliver explore the dangers of consuming excessive amounts of sugar.
The Jamie's Sugar Rush documentary saw Oliver host a round-table discussion with a number of leading restaurant chain CEOs, including Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Costa, Brasserie Blanc and Cabana to promote the idea of the sugar tax in their restaurants.
Leon and Abokado also became the first two restaurant chain to join the campaign and will levy a 10p sugar tax on all drinks that contain added sugar, which will then be donated to the Children’s Health Fund.