Global status summary 03
In the wake of success with taxes on tobacco, there are
strong movements to make SSB taxes an essential policy
tool within comprehensive plans to promote public
health.33 By the end of 2018, more than 40 countries were
applying some type of tax to sugary drinks,34 including
Bahrain, Barbados,35 Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei, Chile,36
Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, French Polynesia, India, Ireland,
Kiribati, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand and
the United Arab Emirates.
The Philippines introduced SSB taxes in January
2018, raising prices by 14 per cent and aiming to
reduce obesity and raise revenues for government
infrastructure projects, including sports facilities, public
schools and drinking water in public places.37 The taxes
apply to drinks that combine non-caloric sweeteners
with sugar/high-fructose corn syrup and are levied by
product volume rather than sugar content – so there is
little incentive for manufacturers to reformulate products.
When sales dropped significantly during the first six
months after implementation, beverage companies
increased retail prices.38