24/04/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 24 April, the European Commission approved the future tax on sugary drinks instituted by Ireland, as it considers that it is not a state aid. The measure, which was notified in February, will apply to non-alcoholic water-based beverages and fruit juices with more than 5g of added sugar. Although the Commission stresses that each member state is entitled to define the purpose of its various taxes and duties, these taxes must be non-discriminatory. However, it found that these non-alcoholic drinks could be treated differently from other sugary products with regard to health objectives, adding that the risk of obesity following overconsumption of these drinks was significant. The institution therefore concluded that the scope of application and general object of the measure were coherent, but they do not distort competition. (LT)