Just over half of Irish people would support a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks for health reasons, a new survey by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has found.

According to the findings, 52% of the public would be in favour of such a tax, while 46% would be against it. However, almost nine in 10 people (87%) agree that sugary drinks contribute to obesity among children and teenagers.

IHF chief executive, Barry Dempsey, said that the figures show that people understand the role that these drinks play in relation to weight problems. The findings also ‘clearly demonstrate that Irish people want the Government to take stronger action to tackle childhood obesity'.

The IHF is calling for a 20% tax on sugary drinks in the next Budget, a move that could raise around €60 million in extra revenue.

"Sugar-sweetened drinks have little or no nutritional value and they are packed with calories. The introduction of a tax to drive down consumption of these beverages seems like a no-brainer to protect our children," Mr Dempsey insisted.

Also commenting on this issue, Dr Adam Briggs of the University of Oxford, pointed out that a 10% tax on sugary drinks could lead to an estimated 1.3% reduction in obesity. This could cut the number of obese adults here by around 10,000 and the total number of overweight and obese adults by 14,000.

These figures could be even higher among younger and regular consumers of these drinks, Dr Briggs said.

Meanwhile, consultant endocrinologist and obesity expert, Prof Donal O'Shea, insisted that the obesity problem here is now ‘public health concern number one'.

"The World Health Organization says our children are getting fatter and Ireland is leading the way in European childhood obesity rates. We now have the evidence to act. There is convincing data that reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks improves the weight and health of children and adolescents," he commented.

Irish people currently consume 83 litres of carbonated drinks per capita, with teenage boys the country's biggest consumers.

"We are now all very aware of the problem and we urgently need to act. Fiscal measures, including a tax on sugar sweetened drinks is a practical and obvious action, which is an absolute health imperative and clearly has public support," Prof O'Shea added.

Over 1,000 people took part in the IHF survey, which was carried out last month.