Research

Mixed

Implementing a specific excise tax of 1 cent per ounce on sugar-sweetened beverages reduces consumption by at least 10% and generates significant revenue for public health programs.

Support or advocate for specific excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages rather than general sales taxes. A per-ounce tax is more likely to reduce consumption and encourage manufacturers to lower sugar content. Ensure tax revenues are earmarked for public health initiatives to maximize community benefit.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
We propose an excise tax of 1 cent per ounce for beverages that have any added caloric sweetener... an excise tax of 1 cent per ounce would lead to a minimum reduction of 10% in calorie consumption from sweetened beverages... A national tax of 1 cent per ounce on sugar-sweetened beverages would raise $14.9 billion in the first year alone.
Kelly D. Brownell et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 2009

Why this rating

Based on economic modeling and price elasticity research cited, rather than direct long-term clinical trials of the tax itself.

Source

The Public Health and Economic Benefits of Taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Kelly D. Brownell et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 2009

DOI 10.1056/nejmhpr0905723

narrative_reviewCited 745×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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