Are you always this shortsighted? "a tax on sugary drinks will only penalise the poor".. well yes.. if they continue to drink the stuff, the idea of taxing it is to encourage them to drink something else or drink less of this stuff that is only going to make them sick in the long run. Consider it a long term saving on spending on drugs for diabetes. obesity, ill health that costs us all in increased taxes if that's your major concern.