The Estonian government has dropped plans to impose a tax on sugary beverages, Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced, ERR reports. Health Minister Riina Sikkut said that she proposed withdrawing the proposal, noting that the coalition agreement only allowed new taxes to finance defence and security needs. Michal expressed hope that opinions on the matter would change over time, suggesting that new taxes could be proposed at the next parliamentary elections in 2027. Sikkut said that Estonia would study data on the impact of sugar taxes in neighbouring countries, adding that unhealthy dietary trends were unlikely to be reversed without further state intervention.