Support for "sin taxes" on products like fast food is growing according to new research.

A new poll found 55 per cent of workers believe the government should introduce new levies on household waste such as disposable nappies as a way of boosting the government's coffers and encouraging more environmentally-friendly consumers.

A third said they would be happy to see a tax on aerosol sprays.

Stephen Herring, of BDO Stoy Hayward which commissioned the research, said the public was warming to the idea of green taxation.

"Taxpayers realise that a proportion of their income tax goes towards the NHS and ecological initiatives, and appear to be willing to pay direct charges to help curb use of products that exacerbate problems for these services," he said.

"As the Budget approaches and the chancellor is looking for ways to make the books balance, he could extend Britain's sin taxes, rather than raiding the taxpayer's pocket through income tax and national insurance, and general business taxation."