Sugar tax works - at least for low earners
According to Health Promotion Switzerland, sugary drinks contain a lot of sugar, which is a major factor in the development of obesity. A pilot project in the USA now shows that a tax on sugary drinks is effective.
Taxes on high-sugar drinks lead to a significant reduction in their consumption in low-income households. This is the conclusion of a survey conducted by scientists from the University of California, Berkeley. In 2014, the city on the West Coast was one of the first in the U.S. to introduce a "sugar tax" on soft drinks.
Industry criticizes proposal
According to the report just published in the "National Journal of Public Health." published study, consumption among low-income Berkeley residents dropped 21 percent four months after the tax was implemented. At the same time, water consumption has increased, the study authors said. In neighboring San Francisco and Oakland, however, consumption of high-sugar soft drinks is up four percent. The beverage industry, meanwhile, is raising doubts and criticizing the researchers' method. After all, survey participants would not accurately reflect their own dietary behavior, according to the American Beverage Association.
Regardless of the criticism, the results in Berkeley point in the same direction as those from Mexico. The southern neighbor introduced the sugar tax nationwide in 2014 and recorded a 17 percent drop among low-income consumers. The good news is that the low willingness to spend on soft drinks has positive effects on the health of citizens and subsequently reduces the burden on the public health sector. Excessive sugar consumption is known to lead to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Estimates amount to over 180,000 deaths per year in the USA alone.
Other cities follow suit
Critics of the soft drink tax also point to local businesses that suffer when drinks are cheaper in a neighboring city. However, the survey in Berkeley showed that just two percent of consumers go shopping outside the city for this reason. Instead, more and more politicians are now taking a cue from the student city. Philadelphia has already followed suit. San Francisco and Oakland are planning a tax in the fall. Great Britain also has much to gain from the idea. On the island, the sugar tax is planned for 2018.
In Switzerland, the introduction of a sugar tax is not yet an issue. Health Promotion Switzerland however, recommends keeping consumption of sweet drinks to a minimum, preferring to drink water as a healthy alternative. A Scientific analysis by the organization in 2013 shows that sugary sodas are a major contributor to childhood and adolescent obesity.
Source: Press release / Health Promotion Switzerland
