Doctors want a ban on ads for sugary drinks that target children.

A group from the Royal College of Physicians is warning that vulnerable children must be protected, as the drinks are a major driver of childhood weight, and one in four Irish kids is already overweight or obese.

Jennifer Ryan reports:

The RCPI's Policy Group on Obesity is warning that unless drastic policy measures are taken, 90 per cent of the population could be overweight or obese by 2030.

Members want ads for sugary drinks that target children banned altogether, while a ban should be put on on tv ads for high fat-, salt- and sugar-content foods until 9 in the evening.

Doctors are also proposing a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks in the next budget.

The Policy Group says the industry can't be expected to take the responsibility of monitoring ads on itself, citing Coca-Cola's successful 'Share a Coke' campaign as one example.

Although the company's committed not to market products to the under-12s, doctors say nearly all of the 100 most popular names of 7 or 8 year olds in Ireland are included.