Higher taxes on sugary drinks and fast food: IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer

Rates of obesity and related diseases have risen sharply in many countries over recent decades, and governments are searching for effective ways to reverse this trend. One proposal is to tax sugary drinks and fast food more heavily. I agree that such taxes are a sensible measure, but I believe they will only work as part of a wider strategy.

There are two strong reasons to support these taxes. First, price has a powerful influence on what people buy. When a sugar tax on soft drinks was introduced in the United Kingdom in 2018, many manufacturers chose to reformulate their products with less sugar to avoid paying it, so sugar consumption fell even among people who did not change their habits. Second, the money raised can fund sports facilities or healthy school meals, and the long-term savings in healthcare costs could be substantial, since conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease are extremely expensive to treat.

Nevertheless, opponents raise valid objections. Such taxes fall most heavily on low-income families, who spend a larger share of their income on food and often have limited access to fresh produce. Moreover, people may simply switch to other unhealthy products that are not taxed, such as sweets or processed snacks.

For these reasons, I think taxation should be combined with other measures. Clear labelling, restrictions on advertising junk food to children and nutrition education in schools would help people make better choices, while subsidies on fruit and vegetables could ensure that healthy food remains affordable for poorer households.

In conclusion, I agree that higher taxes on unhealthy food and drinks can improve public health, as they change both consumer behaviour and the products that companies sell. However, they should be accompanied by policies that make healthy eating easier and cheaper for everyone.