THE report (February 19) regarding the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges findings regarding fizzy soft drinks and their solution for taxing to help curb obesity seems odd.

Are we living in an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ world? Why was a leading fizzy drink manufacturer, Coca Cola, allowed to be a chief sponsor (and therefore a role model) for the Olympics?

To improve obesity, healthy foods, vegetables, fruit, milk etc should be available for everyone to be able to afford every day – with government subsidies if necessary. Cheap community leisure facilities are essential to retain, such as swimming pools, halls, courts, pitches, parks and children’s play equipment.

For local trips, cycling and walking should be considered cool. It is an opportunity to get to know others in the community, helping to maintain physical and mental well-being.

Just jumping in the car helps to pile on the pounds. I would have thought the medical profession would have put their knowledge and weight into ways to relieve the NHS with people’s weight problems, not attempt to lighten the weight of people’s purses!

ELAINE BENNETT, Marston Road, Oxford