Stamp duty will rise, people on Social Welfare will be getting a weekly increase and tan worshippers are raging because the VAT on sunbeds is going up. Yesterday's Budget has given people a lot to talk about but the real talking point is that sugar tax is on the way.
While we don't know yet if we, the consumer, will be the ones who will feel the force of the sugar hit (the company may pay for the full tax), but if we do have to pay, gin and tonic lovers will not be pleased.
Schweppes Tonic Water will go up by the full 30c on the litre (8.9g per 100ml), a move that will dilute from the gin experience on a night out. Gin is one of the latest crazes to rock this country with many changing their drink of choice to a gin and tonic on a night out. And it ain't exactly cheap either - you could pay anything from €7 to €11 for one drink.
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Other fizzy drinks to be hit by the tax are 7up, Red Bull and Pepsi Cola.
Those who enjoy sugar free drinks like Diet Coke and Coke Zero can breath a sigh of relief because artificially sweetened drinks won't be affected by tax.
Drinkers - best to stay ahead of the game and start putting a few extra pence in your money box to fund that G & T lifestyle yo.
