sugar sweetened drinks taxation: behavioural unknowns and public acceptability - noelle cotter

Sugar Sweetened Drinks Taxation: Behavioural Unknowns and Public Acceptability

Dr. Noëlle Cotter

Public Health Development Officer (Policy)Institute of Public Health in Ireland

noelle.cotter@publichealth.ie

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• Policy background & context

• Why sugar sweetened drinks?

• What is the evidence?

• Consumer reactions &

responses

Overview

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Adam Smith: Proper subjects of taxation

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Why sugar-sweetened drinks?

• No nutritional value

• ‘Liquid calories’

• Links with overweight and obesity?

• No suggestion this is a silver bullet

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What is known about public acceptability?

• Evidence from

Australia

• Evidence from

Ireland

• Evidence from England

• Evidence from the United States

• Evidence from the Netherlands

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• Economically

valuable

• Industry response

• Ability to oppose

• Consumer response

• Focus on OW/obesity

• Costs to taxpayer

• Ring-fencing

Conclusion

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Institute of Public Health in Ireland

Dr. Noëlle Cotter

Public Health Development Officer (Policy)

noelle.cotter@publichealth.ie