The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) said it doesn't agree with the government's decision to raise the value-added tax (VAT) on sweets and chocolates from 14 to 25.5 percent.
Heli Kuusipalo, a senior THL researcher, told Finnish news agency STT that the public health authority had instead proposed a health-based taxation system. The idea was that the more sugar a product contained, the higher its price would be. Over time, this would encourage manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their products, according to the THL.
Surveys have shown that an increasing majority of people in Finland support additional taxes on foods with high sugar content.
This month the Petteri Orpo (NCP) government decided on a range of measures to increase revenue for the state to help cover expenditures.
Yle News' All Points North podcast explored how the government's latest round of austerity measures will impact everyday life.
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