The Excise duty on sweet drinks such as sodas will increase from5 cents to 10 cents.

Speaking at the Budget announcement in Parliament today, Minister for Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says this has been done considering the health of our children.

“These drinks are seductive because they taste good but over consumption of these drinks does often have no nutritional values can lead to long term problems of obesity. Children who consume too many sugary drinks can set them up for a lifetime of poor health, obesity and a near addiction to sugar.”

The Budget announcement continues in Parliament.