Adherence
Implementing a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) significantly reduces SSB intake, with the magnitude of reduction being highest in low-income countries and among young adults.
For policymakers, a 20% tax on sugary drinks is a highly effective tool, especially in lower-income countries where it can reduce consumption by 15-24%. In wealthier nations, the effect is smaller (around 7-8%) and may require larger taxes or combined interventions like education campaigns to be effective for older demographics.
Potential reductions in median intake from a 20% tax (price increase) were largest for the lowest income decile, ranging from 14.5% ... to 24.1% ... depending on age and sex.
Why this rating
Large-scale cross-sectional modeling across 164 countries using robust economic frameworks, though limited by proxy price data.
Source
Global patterns in price elasticities of sugar-sweetened beverage intake and potential effectiveness of tax policy: a cross-sectional study of 164 countries by sex, age and global-income decile
Andrew Muhammad et al. · BMJ Open · 2019
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