Almost 60% of Irish people would support the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks in order to help reduce the rate of childhood obesity, a new poll by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has revealed.

In its pre-budget submission, the IHF is calling for a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. This would raise revenue of over €44 million, which should then be used to establish a Children's Future Health Fund to fund various schemes, such as fruit and vegetable subsidies, the foundation said.

The poll revealed that 58% of people would support such a tax, while 39% would be against it. An identical poll last year found that 52% supported such a tax, while 46% were against it.

Support for the tax was highest in the 15-17 age group, with 73% in favour of it.

When people were asked if they would support the tax if the money raised was spent on healthy initiatives aimed at children, the number of those in favour of it rose to 76%.

Overall, 83% of people said that they believe that sugar-sweetened drinks contribute to obesity among children.

"It is extraordinary that after all the financial pain people have suffered in the aftermath of Ireland's economic collapse, after all the extra taxes, levies and charges that have been imposed on us, the Irish public would support any new tax whatsoever. From the size of the majority in favour, it is crystal clear that people don't think the State is doing enough to tackle the obesity problem and that stronger action and leadership is required," commented the IHF's head of advocacy, Chris Macey.

He emphasised that these drinks ‘have little or no nutritional value'.

"The fact is that these drinks play a unique role in fuelling obesity. They are packed full of calories and children who consume these drinks receive around 20% of their recommended daily sugar intake from them. Furthermore, it's estimated that each extra can or glass consumed daily increases a child's risk of becoming obese by 60%," Mr Macey said.

The IHF noted that a health impact assessment for the Department of Health found that a 20% tax on these drinks could reduce obesity by 3% in adults alone - that is 22,000 people.

"Measures to tackle overweight and obesity have focused on information, awareness and media campaigns spelling out what action people can take themselves. But the real drivers of obesity are the ever increasing availability and relative cheapness of foods high in fat, sugar and salt that are ever more intensely marketed," Mr Macey pointed out.

The IHF has made a number of proposals in relation to a Children's Future Health Fund, including:

-School food: Extending free school meals programmes and removing all junk food, fizzy drinks and vending machines from schools
-Subsidies: The introduction of fruit and vegetable subsidies targeted at disadvantaged communities. Obesity levels are almost three times higher in poorer communities.
-Marketing to children: A ban on TV ads, sponsorship of food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar, and product placements, from 6am to 9pm every day
-Family food initiatives: Support families experiencing food poverty to have access to healthy food and to develop food growing and cooking skills.

Budget 2016 will be announced on Tuesday, October 13.