Over half (57%) of consumers think the government is not doing enough to combat the obesity epidemic, according to the latest Consumer Intelligence report by Empathy Research.
Almost 2/3 of the 1,004 participants aged 18-24 (61%) and 35-44 (61%) were of this opinion, slightly higher than those aged 25-34 (56%) and over 45 (56%).
However, 43% of participants say they would not support the introduction of a fat or sugar tax in order to reduce the epidemic. This was most prevalent among the older age groups compared to the younger age groups; 18-24 (35%), 25-34 (35%), 35-44 (50%) and 45+ (46%). Slightly more participants with children (44%) were of this opinion compared to participants who do not have children (41%).
Almost half (47%) of participants think the introduction of such a tax would not lower the consumption of affected products. Slightly more female participants (49%) were of this opinion compared to male participants (44%). Almost half of participants from Dublin (49%) and the rest of Leinster (49%) believe a fat or sugar tax will not have an impact on consumption levels. This is slightly higher than those from the Connacht/Ulster (46%) and Munster (44%) regions.Of those participants who would support the introduction of a fat or sugar tax (38%), 21% think the rate should be set at 1-2%. 22% think a rate of 3-4% should be applied to such products. A quarter (25%) of participants think the fat or sugar tax rate, if introduced, should be set at 5-6%.Click here to see more data from Empathy Research.
