A 20 per cent or higher tax on unhealthy food and drinks could have a significant effect on levels of obesity and heart disease, new research suggests.
Dr Oliver Mytton and Dr Mike Rayner at the University of Oxford examined the available evidence on the effects of introducing food taxes.
They found that taxing a wide range of unhealthy products tends to provide greater health benefits than only introducing taxes on a particular group of foods or beverages.
However, placing taxes on sugary drinks appears to be particularly effective, with modelling studies conducted in the US suggesting that a 20 per cent tax on such beverages could reduce obesity levels by 3.5 per cent on its own.
Meanwhile, separate research indicates that by imposing 17.5 per cent VAT on unhealthy foods in the UK, the number of deaths from heart disease could be cut by up to 2,700.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, the Oxford researchers say that health-related food taxes of at least 20 per cent should be combined with subsidies on healthy foods to have the greatest effect on diet-related conditions.
Dr Rayner pointed out that prime minister David Cameron has previously signalled his desire to look into 'fat taxes'.
'He should now commission an independent review of the existing evidence that looks at the options for taxing unhealthy foods,' he claimed.
The expert added: 'A tax on sugary drinks is one measure that is a sure, safe bet that would change how many calories people consume across the nation and have a significant effect on obesity levels.'