THE proposed sugar tax as revealed in today’s paper is sure to split opinion.

Some will see it as an added expense thanks to meddling from our council and Jamie Oliver.

Others will see it as a proactive move aimed at tackling a huge problem.

Whatever your thoughts, at least we are all talking about it. Because it is an issue You only have to read some of the statistics to realise our sugar intake is way above what it should be.

We are not only talking rotting teeth and bad dental hygiene but also obesity and everything from heart disease to diabetes.

Food producers are largely at blame for packing their products with ridiculous amounts of sugar and then marketing them to children.

They know what harm they are doing but they are pressing ahead regardless with their main concern - their shareholders. So if they are not going to do anything about it then surely we will have to.

Education is key, but if the last few years are anything to go by, it is slow progress.

We need to continue to hammer home the healthy eating message.

Not least because of the burden on the NHS. We all know the financial strain our much-loved health service is under.

It could certainly do without this added burden which could so easily be avoided. But is a few extra pence on top of a Coke really going to stop teenagers reaching for the garish red cans?

Will mums steer clear of sugar-packed fruit juices for their young ones? It is too early to tell.

It is easy to sneer at the likes of the council and Oliver for suggesting a sugar tax. But at least they are trying something.