The Italian Ministry of Health is considering the possibility of introducing an additional fee of 3 cents for a 0,33 liter bottle of soda. This is an element of the government’s strategy to combat the so-called junk food in Italy.
In a radio interview on Friday, health minister Renato Balduzzi said such an increase in the price of drinks would generate 250 million euros annually. The money obtained in this way would be used to finance a campaign for prevention, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, as well as for the health service, he informed.
The minister explained that this type of tax may apply only to sweetened and carbonated drinks, and not to food.
The extra charge of 3 cents poses no problems for consumers or producers, said Balduzzi.
It would, however, send a signal to the public to pay attention to the problem, disregarded by families, as evidenced by the fact that half of Italian children and teenagers drink too much sweet, fizzy drinks, said the Minister of Health.