Policy review: Implication of tax on sugar-sweetened beverages for reducing obesity and improving heart health

Abstract

Objectives: This review aimed to review global consumption of sugar sweetened beverages and the extent to which this relates to the risks of obesity and cardiovascular disease. This review also aimed to assess evidence on the effectiveness of soda taxes in reducing the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages. Methods: A literature review was performed on international rates of sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and associations between this and the risk of cardiovascular disease. An evaluation was also performed of evidence for operational results of these policies in several countries. Results: The studies reviewed confirmed a consistent association between sugar sweetened beverage consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease and yet sugar sweetened beverage consumption has increased significantly worldwide. Review of published evidence suggests that taxing sugar sweetened beverages is an effective policy for reducing their consumption. Conclusion: Based on the available evidence, an SSB tax is an effective policy in several countries. To expand and strengthen taxation policy for health-related indicators/outcomes, well-managed experimental studies of actual SSB taxation policies should be conducted and the tax system should be applied to each country considering the circumstances and with a package of effective interventions. (C) 2019 Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.