In a dramatic move to try to tackle child obesity, Ireland has decided to ban kids’ icecreams. The acting Health Minister Leo Varadkar announced the decision yesterday which will see a blanket ban on all child sized ice creams going on sale from May.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say! We’re looking for parents to get involved and give their feedback on all aspects of family life. Find out more here.

With 1 in 4 children now overweight or obese in Ireland, and obese children likely to become obese adults, Mr Varadkar was expected to follow suit to the UK’s sugar tax introduced in the recent budget which taxes soft drinks.

However ice cream is perhaps a softer target than risking the wrath of the soft drink industry, so Mr Varadkar announced yesterday that all children’s ice cream should be withdrawn from sale from May.

Speaking from Leinster House, Mr Varadkar also pointed out that “It’s the ones with the flakes, you know, the 99s that are particularly bad as not only is the child eating ice cream but also chocolate”.

Sales of kids’ sized ice creams are expected to soar this month as people take the opportunity to treat their children before the ban comes into effect. As well as cones, ice lollies will also come under the ban.

So our advice is grab a cone for your child while you still can!

Over to you now, what are you thoughts on the ban on kids’ ice creams in Ireland? Tell us in the comments below.