Podcasts

The Last Word with Matt Cooper

On Ireland's most cutting edge current affairs show, Matt and his guests provide a running stream of intelligent opinions and heated debates on the issues that matter most to Irish listeners. You might not always agree, but you'll never want to miss a Word.

Latest episodes

First Time TDs Reflect On Their First Six Months In The Dáil

17 hours ago - 16 mins

The Last Word with Matt Cooper

The Last Word On The US: 'Disappointed' Trump Gives Putin 50-Day Ultimatum On Ukraine

18 hours ago - 18 mins

The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Living With Endometriosis, A Disease As Common As Asthma But Can Take Ten Years To Diagnose

2 days ago - 17 mins

The Last Word with Matt Cooper

The Last Word On Travel: Europe's Best Value City Breaks

2 days ago - 11 mins

The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Late Late Show Viewing Figures Drop By 47k

2 days ago - 14 mins

The Last Word with Matt Cooper

The Week Trending: Sunbed Ban, Mushroom Murder & The Taoiseach's Flight Change

5 days ago - 25 mins

The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Will A Tax On Snacks Reduce Obesity?

We have all heard that sugar is the ingredient  we need to reduce in our diets and that a sugar tax on high sugar drinks would help tackle obesity. A new study in the British Medical Journal however, has said that a tax on high sugar snacks would be more effective on reducing obesity than what is currently in place. The research has said that a 20% levy on sugar rich foods, could lead to a 1.3 kilogram average waist loss per person in a year. Maeve Hanan, a registered dietitian with Orla Walsh Nutrition and Conor McMahon, deputy editor with Fora.ie joined us in studio to discuss this idea of a snack tax. When it comes to imposing a levy like the sugar tax, Conor warned that it can create an opportunity for companies to create alternatives to sugar. Dietitian Maeve Hanan, also highlighted during the discussion that it would be difficult to draw the line between what foods should and should not be included in a snack tax. Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.