BBC随身英语:Tax on drinks proposed 英国拟对含糖饮料征税

Stephenson believes there is no "silver bullet" for tackling the problem of expanding waistlines; instead, the entire culture around eating needs to change to make it easier to make healthy decisions.

The Academy's recommendations include: a ￡100m budget for treatments like weight-loss surgery; the banning of junk food and vending machines in hospitals, where all food must meet the same nutritional standards as in schools; and information about calories for children on food labels.

The British Soft Drinks Association rejected the idea that a tax on fizzy drinks, which it said contributed to "just 2%" of the total calories in an average diet, would address a problem "which is about overall diet and levels of activity".

Health minister Lord Howe welcomed the report and said he wanted to see "businesses intensifying their efforts as well".

Some teenagers seem to be getting the healthy food message. George from Peterborough, interviewed by the BBC, believes that the key is moderation. He said: "Just don't have fizzy drinks every day. It's the same with things like crisps."

Quiz 测验 1. Doctors are comparing foods which make people fat to what kind of harmful product?

Cigarettes.

2. According to the article, how many people in the UK are considered too fat?

A quarter of the population.

3. Which measures does the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges want hospitals to adopt with regard to food?

A ban on junk food and vending machines.

4. Is this statement true or false? The British Soft Drink Association rejected the idea that people are fat because they consume fizzy drinks

True. The British Soft Drink Association says soft drinks contribute to just 2% of the total calories in an average diet.

5. Which expression in the article means "a simple and very effective solution for a difficult problem"?

A silver bullet.

Glossary 词汇表 obesity肥胖症 a fizzy drink汽水 to tax征税 junk food垃圾食品 the watershed分水岭时间 （在晚9点后才能播出） unhealthy不健康的 to move away from停止（做某事） obese肥胖的 the silver bullet（喻）捷径，高招儿 to tackle应对，解决 the waistline腰围 healthy健康的 the weight-loss surgery瘦身手术 a vending machine自动售货机 the nutritional standards营养标准 the calories卡路里 the food label食品标签 a soft drink软饮 the health minister（英国）卫生大臣 crisps薯片