Higher taxes for sugar filled drinks

The Austrian Green Party are pressing for higher taxes to be implemented on sugar filler drinks in an attempt to cut childhood obesity and dental problems.

Every fifth child between the age of 11 and 13 is overweight, five per cent are obese.

These figures represent a 40 per cent increase over the last 16 years.

ÖVP Health Minister Christian Bernhard also sees credibility in the higher tax. But claims a more effective way is promoting healthy eating and exercise in schools and kindergartens.

Hubert Kinz, from the FPÖ, however claims it would be better to introduce more domestic-based classes into schools so that children learn to cook.

He claims that the lack of knowledge about the fresh preparation of food and fast food and ready meals are to blame for the rising obesity levels.