Health: IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people believe that governments should impose a tax on sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks to improve the health of the population. I agree with this idea, but only if the money raised is spent on promoting healthier lifestyles.

There are good reasons to think that such a tax would work. When the price of a product rises noticeably, most people buy less of it, and fizzy drinks are especially easy to replace with water. A tax could therefore reduce sugar consumption, especially among teenagers, who are very sensitive to price. It may also change the behaviour of manufacturers, who could lower the sugar content of their products to avoid paying the tax, so that even people who continue to buy them benefit. Finally, the income from the tax could be used to build sports facilities, provide free drinking water in schools or fund health education, which would multiply the benefits.

Critics argue that the policy is unfair because it takes a larger share of income from families on low wages and restricts personal choice. These concerns deserve attention, but I find them unconvincing. Diet-related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease are already more common among poorer families, so these groups have the most to gain from consuming less sugar. Moreover, nobody is prevented from buying a chocolate bar; it simply costs a little more. The fairness problem can also be addressed directly by using part of the money to make fruit, vegetables and other healthy food cheaper, so that the overall cost of a family's shopping does not rise.

In conclusion, I believe a high tax on sugary products is a sensible public health measure. However, it should form one part of a wider strategy, and the money it raises must be returned to the public in the form of healthier choices.