Why tax sugar-sweetened beverages?
Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages is likely to lead to a decrease in consumption, especially among population groups that are most sensitive to price, e.g., children, low income populations, and those with higher intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages. These are the same groups who are most likely to suffer negative health impacts from high sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. A decrease in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is likely to reduce calorie intake and lead to better weight status. Increasing the cost of sugar-sweetened beverages relative to the cost of healthier beverages (such as water and low-fat milk) may lead to an increase in the consumption of the healthier beverages. A similar tax on tobacco products has contributed to a significant decrease in cigarette consumption and smoking rates, particularly among children.
