PHOTO: Unsplash
PHOTO: Unsplash

EXPERT REACTION: Taxing sugary drinks packs a punch on sales

Embargoed until: Publicly released:
Peer-reviewed: This work was reviewed and scrutinised by relevant independent experts.

Meta-analysis: This type of study involves using statistics to combine the data from multiple previous studies to give an overall result. The reliability of a meta-analysis depends on both the quality and similarity of the individual studies being grouped together.

Systematic review: This type of study is a structured approach to reviewing all the evidence to answer a specific question. It can include a meta-analysis which is a statistical method of combining the data from multiple studies to get an overall result.

Taxing sugary drinks is linked to 15% lower sales on average, according to an extensive review of policies from around the world enacting taxes on the sweet stuff. More than 45 countries have taxed sugary drinks but New Zealand and Australia have not. Researchers analysed dozens of studies across 12 countries and five US states, showing that taxes are linked with price hikes and fewer sales of these drinks, without affecting beverage manufacturing jobs. However, more study is needed to understand the effects of these taxes on people's diet and health.

Journal/conference: JAMA Network Open

Link to research (DOI): doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.15276

Organisation/s: University of Connecticut, US; Brandeis University, US; University of Illinois at Chicago, US;

Funder: World Health Organization

Expert Reaction

These comments have been collated by the Science Media Centre to provide a variety of expert perspectives on this issue. Feel free to use these quotes in your stories. Views expressed are the personal opinions of the experts named. They do not represent the views of the SMC or any other organisation unless specifically stated.

Dr Rob Beaglehole, Dentist and New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) spokesperson for nutrition and water fluoridation

The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) is not surprised at the findings of the study. We have long said what was found here, which is that a (SSB) sugary drinks levy will hike prices and lead to lower sales of drinks with those levies.

What is a surprise though, is that now more than 45 countries have implemented this measure before New Zealand. We were once a world leader in public health policies, it appears we’re now not even a slow follower. 

NZDA is pleased that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has commissioned this review. 

This study should be of immense interest to New Zealand policymakers. We are calling on the government to take note of this study and introduce a sugary drink industry levy modelled on the UK example as a matter of urgency. 

The evidence is clear sugary drinks are the number one source of sugar in the NZ diet for those aged 0-30 years. Sugary drinks are one of the most significant risk factors for tooth decay, obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is for this reason we need the government to act and tackle one of the commercial determinants of tooth decay – the sugary drink industry.

Last updated: 31 May 2022 11:07am
Declared conflicts of interest:
"I am the National Public Health Advocate for the DHB Chief Executives and Chairs, and also the NZDA Spokesperson for nutrition and water fluoridation. I work in the area of sugary drink reduction strategies."
Emeritus Professor Elaine Rush, Professor of Nutrition, Auckland University of Technology

We know that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with dental decay and diet-related non-communicable disease. This systematic review of 86 articles and meta-analysis of the data from 62 studies provides strong evidence that taxing sugary drinks increases price and reduces the quantity sold. However the evidence for reduced consumption was lacking, highlighting the difficulty of dietary assessment relying on self-reports of food consumed.

Sugar-sweetened beverages like alcohol and tobacco are commodities that are associated with poor health so access to and consumption should be discouraged . However sugary drinks are only one component of the diet. At the same time the consumption of diverse wholesome foods should be encouraged, particularly in a country that imports sugar (equivalent to 300g/NZ person/day) and exports high quality foods.

Globally and in Aotearoa as the cost of living rises the burden of malnutrition (overweight and obesity, underweight and micronutrient insufficiencies) and food insecurity also increases and this is when nutrient-dense foods like vegetables and fruits, whole grains and legumes that are known to prevent disease and improve quality of life are less likely to be purchased. If sugary drinks were taxed then that tax should be used to target reduction in price of everyday foods or for subsidised dental care for those who are least able to afford these. The New Zealand evidence-based dietary guidelines should inform food-related tax policies and government spending.

Last updated: 31 May 2022 9:40am
Declared conflicts of interest:
I am on the Health Research Council and also am Scientific Director of the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation.

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