The NHS Is Considering a Ban on the Sale of Sugary Drinks in Hospitals

As the world reels from the shock of last night's Presidential election result, many of us will be turning to that sweetest of substances to distract from the inescapable sense of impending doom.

A pain au chocolat. Seven custard creams eaten in quick succession. Full fat Coke before midday. DOUGHNUTS. JUST SEND DOUGHNUTS.

On a day like today, sugar's sticky embrace never looked more inviting.

But much like the reality TV star America voted into power last night, sugar has the potential to cause a lot of harm. Which is why NHS England is considering drastic plans to limit its consumption in hospitals across the country.

Following the World Health Organisation's recent call for a global sugar tax of at least 20 percent on sweetened drinks, saying that it would result in "improved nutrition" and fewer cases of obesity worldwide, the NHS in England is considering imposing its own levy or even an outright ban on sugary drinks sold in hospitals.

The health service is currently asking staff and the public about the idea in a consultation that runs until January. Trials of both banning and taxing sugary drinks have been carried out at four NHS hospitals, with one reporting that prohibiting sugary drinks did not reduce the overall number of drinks sold, suggesting that vendors wouldn't lose out financially if the plans went ahead.

Depending on the results of the consultation, the ban or tax could affect any drink sold in hospitals with added sugar, including juices and sweetened coffees or milks.

As the BBC reports, NHS chief executive Simon Stevens has said that the proposals would be a way for the health service to lead by example. He said: "Confronted by rising obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and child dental decay, it's time for the NHS to practice what we preach."

Stevens added that the money raised through a tax could be channelled back into the NHS. He said: "By ploughing the proceeds of any vendor fees back into staff health and patient charities these proposals are a genuine win-win opportunity to both improve health and cut future illness cost burdens for the NHS."

It is thought that a 20 percent tax on sugary drinks could raise between £20 and £40 million a year.

The NHS announcement comes at the end of a busy year for sugar and public health policy. Back in March before the WHO statement, then-Chancellor George Osborne announced a sugar tax of 24p on sweetened drinks.

While the tax is set to come into place in April, many in the food industry have called for it to be put on hold and indeed, such figures have also criticised today's announcement from the NHS. Gavin Partington of the British Soft Drinks Association told the BBC: "It's hard to see how a ban on soft drinks can be justified given that the sector has led the way in reducing consumers' sugar intake—down by over 17 percent since 2012."

Much like how the President-Elect decides to run America, it seems we may have to wait until January for the results.