Jamie Oliver has been campaigning for the government to introduce a tax on high sugar drinks as part of its obesity strategy, which is expected in the coming months. However Pomroy believes the real way to tackle obesity is through ‘education, information and choice’.
Pomroy told the Yorkshire Post: “Obesity in the UK is an issue, but it’s a complex issue. It’s far more complex than just putting it at one retailer’s door, whether through taxation or whichever way they look at it. It’s also about lifestyle and education.”
I’m not sure taxation is going to solve everything. It’s been done in different markets in different parts of Europe. Interestingly, a lot of those markets have pulled that. For me, it goes deeper in terms of education.”
Public Health England released a report last week supporting a sugar tax, amongst a number of other measures in the fight against obesity. However, a spokesperson for David Cameron said the Prime Minister was against the policy.