Research

Adherence

Decreasing the tax rate on low-sugar or artificially sweetened beverages (L-SSBs) leads to a significant increase in their purchase volume, potentially offsetting the health benefits of reduced high-sugar beverage consumption.

When designing tax policies, lowering taxes on diet drinks can lead to a surge in their consumption. Policymakers must consider if this substitution aligns with broader health goals, as artificial sweeteners may have their own health implications.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
The volume of household purchases of L-SSBs increased 10.7% (95% CI 7.5%–13.9%)
Juan Carlos et al. · PLoS Medicine · 2018

Why this rating

Robust longitudinal data showing clear substitution patterns.

Source

Chile’s 2014 sugar-sweetened beverage tax and changes in prices and purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages: An observational study in an urban environment

Juan Carlos et al. · PLoS Medicine · 2018

cohort · n=2000Cited 185×
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