SSB Taxation and Unhealthy Foods: A Qualitative Study of Key Opinion Leaders' Views
2018
While many model-based analyses of taxes on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) purchasing and their potential effects on various health outcomes have been conducted, legislation and implementation of such taxes have encountered obstacles. This qualitative study evaluated the perceptions and views of key opinion leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders on taxation of SSBs and unhealthy snacks in Israel.
While all stakeholders viewed obesity as a combined societal and personal issue that should be under government responsibility, only those from economic sectors thought that taxation of SSBs and unhealthy snacks would reduce their consumption. Some stakeholders indicated support only if revenue would be directed to specific causes such as health-promoting plans. Concerns were raised that the tax would disproportionately affect those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Potential barriers to taxation include opposition of various sectors, technical and bureaucratic obstacles impeding tax implementation, difficulties in defining which products to tax, and opposition of the treasury to earmark tax revenue for health education.
SSB Taxation and Unhealthy Foods: A Qualitative Study of Key Opinion Leaders' Views
Source:
Tamir O, Cohen-Yogev T, Furman-Assaf S et al. Taxation of Sugar Sweetened Beverages and Unhealthy Foods: A Qualitative Study of Key Opinion Leaders' Views. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research 2018; 7 (10): 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-018-0240-1