15 of the funniest Twitter reactions to the sugar tax

The long-awaited sugar tax has come into effect across the UK today (6 April), bringing the price of sugary drinks up to 18p or 24p more per litre, depending on the amount of sugar in the recipe.

Some soft drinks producers (like AG Barr, who make Irn-Bru) have altered their recipes to reduce sugar content and avoid the tax.

Overall, the sugar tax has garnered criticism from the public, and - as usual - many have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations.

Here are some of the funniest responses.

Alan Sugar has been the butt of quite a few jokes this morning (including one from former deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott)

I fully support the #sugartax. £10,000 charged for every stupid tweet and statement Alan Sugar makes. It'll clear the national debt within a year.

— John Prescott (@johnprescott) April 6, 2018

Hopefully 1 of the benefits of the Sugar Tax coming into force today is that we will get to hear less from the first lord of Amstrad.

— Joe Ashdown (@Joeash78) April 6, 2018

Turkey Twizzler-murderer Jamie Oliver (who championed the sugar tax) hasn't escaped unharmed either

Jamie Oliver sends a message to customers of Ribena and Irn-Bru who are chasing him down the street. #sugartax pic.twitter.com/NaHafT3vwb

— Christopher Snowdon (@cjsnowdon) April 5, 2018

Gordan Ramsay > Jamie Oliver #SugarTax

— Wheelz (@WheelzHasSkillz) April 6, 2018

Somehow, even Piers Morgan didn't make it out without a jibe or two

This is great news about the #sugartax, now let’s campaign for the Piers Morgan tax so we can have little less of him too

— Frank Reilly (@FrankReilly1982) April 6, 2018

There's a lot of anger in general

RIP yet another victim!! Ragin pic.twitter.com/iUrlyLmkr1

— Chloè (@chloemcmanus___) March 26, 2018

Can’t wait for the sugar tax to be introduced next week and to be verbally abused by customers who’ll act like it’s my fault their drink is more expensive 😍

— girl fieri (@SarahJacksun) March 28, 2018

Some Twitter users are doing everything within their power to rebel against the sugar tax

In honour of the sugar tax, my newsdesk colleague @kieronishere has started the day in some style pic.twitter.com/J4S4prMxzZ

— Dan Howells (@dan_howells) April 6, 2018

Was going to march on Westminster tomorrow over this outrageous #sugartax until I realised marching was exercise. No government is going to trick me into that.

— Dictatorship Essex (@PeterOstit) April 5, 2018

Right. To the barricades ladies. #sugartax pic.twitter.com/SrK3q7rrel

— Blogger (@phedupcampaign) April 2, 2018

While others are already worrying about what could come next

I Feel like we’re going to get taxed on oxygen next 😂 #Sugartax

— Kim😇💜💛❤️💙🖤 (@Kimbles848) April 5, 2018

And a few have grimly accepted their fate - and taken extreme measures to avoid spending extra money on sugary drinks

As of 1 April due to the vat increase and sugar tax pic.twitter.com/osiXV1QDLO

— Phatudi (@pontzho) April 4, 2018

everyone’s complaining about sugar free drinks but u won’t be complaining when sugar tax happens, normal coke will be £28.99 for a can

— phob (@phobxo) March 26, 2018

Clearly the temptation for satirical takes was too tempting for some

Businessman Nathan Muir said: “My accountant is doing my sugar tax return. He’s managed to calculate it so I ate no sugar in the last year and the government actually owes me 30 kilos.” https://t.co/oFZtmb8bT0

— Thomas Penny (@ThomasWPenny) April 6, 2018

And, of course, there's the all-important question of 'What can I drink to cure my hangover now?'

From the BBC: Fanta, Lucozade and Ribena have just reduced the sugar content to avoid the sugar tax. Coke hasn't. This is why coke is probably now the best option for hangover drink.

— Sword of Thismemeformat (@stavvers) April 6, 2018