A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge has found that a sugar tax on sweetened beverages in the UK has significantly reduced sugar consumption. The tax, which was introduced in April 2018, charges 21 pence per liter for drinks containing more than 5 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters and 28 pence per liter for drinks containing more than 8 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters. The tax has been praised by experts as a sensible measure to improve nutrition and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), soft drinks like cola, Fanta, and Sprite can reduce life expectancy due to their high sugar content. The WHO recommends regulating the consumption of such drinks through taxation. The Cambridge study analyzed 31 million purchases made by 22,000 British households between March 2014 and March 2019. The results showed that while the volume of drinks purchased remained the same, the amount of sugar in those drinks decreased. The tax did not lead to an increase in the consumption of sweets or alcohol.
On average, the tax led to a reduction of 30 grams of sugar per week per household, which equates to a 10% reduction in sugar consumption per average purchase. This translates to a reduction of 12.5 grams of sugar per week per person in a household of 2.4 people. The study’s findings have been hailed as evidence of the intended effect of the sugar tax and could serve as a model for other countries considering similar measures.
In a related editorial, researchers at the George Institute for Global Health noted that a tax on fatty foods could also have a positive impact on nutrition. The study’s results suggest that the sugar tax has been successful in reducing sugar consumption and could be a useful tool in the fight against obesity and related health issues.
