Action to reduce sales of sugar-sweetened drinks on NHS premises

NHS England consulted on plans to cut the sales of sugary drinks sold in hospitals. England would become the first country in the world to take action across its health service in this way. The consultation gives details of a proposed new fee to be paid by vendors and seeks views on an outright ban, as well as alternative measures to reduce sales of sugary-drinks.

The College responded that introducing a fee for vendors would be less effective than an outright ban on the sale of sugar-sweetened drinks. The reinvestment of such a fee on staff health initiatives would dilute the important health message and detract from the purpose of the policy.