Illicit Coke black market will boom in Britain as soon as the sugar tax kicks in, experts claim

AN illicit “Coke trade” will take off in Britain as the sugar tax begins this week, say drinks bosses.

They fear the level of drink smuggling could quadruple as cheats try to dodge the new levy, which kicks in on Friday.

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The tax, aimed at cutting levels of child obesity and type 2 diabetes, will increase the price of a standard can of Coca-Cola from 70p to 78p.

But it will raise less than planned as suppliers cut sugar content. The tax is payable on drinks with 5g to 8g of sugar per 100ml and at a higher rate on 8g or more.

The British Soft Drinks Association predicts “an increase in illicit trade” from five to 20 per cent.

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