Germany renews push for sugar tax and energy drink ban for under-16s

A proposal to begin legislation for a sugar tax and a ban on selling energy drinks to under-16s will be voted in the Bundesrat, and proponents say revenue would be used for health initiatives.

A proposal to tax sugary drinks and to ban sales of energy drinks to under-16s will be voted on in Germany's assembly of regional states, the Bundesrat, on Friday. The motion was initiated by Schleswig-Holstein state premier Daniel Guenther and is intended to start the formal legislative process. The text does not set out how a levy should be designed but recommends that any revenue be used for health initiatives. Support for tougher measures on obesity and related illness is reported across parties and in public opinion data. Key facts: - The Bundesrat vote on Friday would start formal legislative steps for a sugar levy and a ban on energy drink sales to under-16s. - The proposal does not specify how a levy should be designed but proposes that revenue be allocated to health initiatives. - Initiator Daniel Guenther said manufacturers should have an incentive to reduce sugar and described energy drinks as potentially burdensome for young people due to caffeine, taurine and sugar content. - The World Health Organization notes that more than 100 countries tax sugary drinks, and about half of EU member states have such measures. - A Forsa survey published in February found about 60% of Germans supported a levy on soft drinks with high sugar content. - A 2023 modelling study led by the Technical University of Munich estimated that a levy modelled on Britain’s sugar tax could reduce daily sugar intake by 2–3 grams, prevent or delay about 244,000 cases of type 2 diabetes over 20 years, and save up to 16 billion euros over that period. Summary: The Bundesrat vote would launch the legislative process and reflects rising political and public support for measures to limit sugary drinks and restrict youth access to energy drinks. Specific design details for any levy and the detailed timeline for further steps are undetermined at this time.