Ireland is to consider a "fat tax" on foods thought to be contributing to rising levels of obesity.

Officials confirmed yesterday that the health minister, Micheal Martin, intended to look at the idea, while trying to cool any impression that even a tentative decision was in prospect.

The Irish government has already caused controversy by cracking down on pub happy hours and announcing its intention to prohibit smoking in public places from January.

But the fact that a neighbour of Britain - and one famous for its fry-ups - is to look at the idea will heighten pressure on ministers at Westminster.

The Commons health committee is investigating the idea of a fat tax as part of a wider review into tackling weight problems in England, where one in five adults is obese.

Curbs on the advertising of food, particularly to children, better labelling, improved advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle, and even tobacco-style health warnings are among other topics discussed.

Health officials in Whitehall yesterday referred questions on a fat tax to the Treasury, which said it was not making a study of such an idea.

In Ireland about 10% of children are obese, as well as 14% of men and 12% of women.

A spokeswoman for Mr Martin's department said: "It is something he intends to look at in the future."

But Ciaran Fitzgerald, the director of Ireland's Food and Drink Federation, said education on food and exercise was the best way to change lifestyles. "To put up tax even more is only going to worsen the situation whereby we become more and more uncompetitive and it costs more to eat."

Michael O'Shea, chief executive of the Irish Heart Foundation, said 60% of people were overweight or obese, and welcomed any initiative to tackle the problem.