"Long since offered": Günther wants nationwide sugar tax - "Long since offered": Günther wants nationwide sugar tax
Schleswig-Holstein is pushing for a nationwide tax on sugary drinks. In mid-October, the state’s parliament voted to introduce a manufacturer’s levy on soft and energy drinks. The move aims to cut sugar consumption and improve public health.
State Minister-President Daniel Günther now plans to take the proposal to federal level early next year.
The call for a sugar tax follows years of pressure from medical experts. Doctors warn that excessive sugar intake causes obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and fatty liver disease. The World Health Organization advises healthy adults to limit free sugars to 50 grams daily, ideally under 25 grams.
A 2024 study by consumer group Foodwatch found 136 drinks averaging 7.8% sugar—well above the UK’s tax threshold of 5 grams per 100 millilitres. Of those, 117 would qualify for Britain’s sugar levy, introduced in 2018. Countries like the UK and Mexico have already shown that such taxes, alongside advertising bans, reduce sugar consumption.
Lower Saxony’s Health Minister Andreas Philippi recently joined the push, urging the federal government to act. Günther intends to raise the issue at the CDU’s federal conference in February. His plan includes a Bundesrat initiative in the first quarter of next year to formalise the proposal.
Meanwhile, the UK continues reviewing its beverage levies, and Ireland is advancing plans for a similar sugar tax review.
If approved, the tax would target drinks with high sugar content. Schleswig-Holstein’s initiative could set a precedent for other German states. The measure aligns with global efforts to tackle diet-related health problems through fiscal policy.
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