The tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), has been ineffective in reducing the nation’s sugar intake and obesity levels.
According to the Division of Human Nutrition and the Centre for Statistical Consultation at Stellenbosch University, it is unclear whether the tax does enough to reduce obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as heart disease.
Dietitians and key industry role-players (KIRs) surveyed said that more needs to be done to reduce obesity levels.
‘Dietitians and KIRs were positive about the HPL, although the majority agreed that the implementation of a sugar tax alone will not make a difference because multiple factors contribute to NCDs and obesity. They believed the HPL of 11% was too little to have an impact on the purchasing behaviour of consumers.’
‘Dietitians did report a perceived decrease in the daily purchasing of SSBs by their clients in favour of mainly sugar-free beverages and water since the implementation of the HPL. Some dietitians were concerned that SSBs were substituted with other sugar-containing food items.’
This supports other studies that have shown that interventions targeting specific foods and drinks can lead to increased consumption of other unhealthy foods and drinks.
Consumers’ lack of knowledge and the habitual purchasing of sugary drinks were regarded as key barriers to reducing obesity.
Questions were raised regarding how the tax would be used. The general view was that it should be for the treatment and prevention of non-communicable diseases, and health promotion to facilitate change. They were sceptical that this would happen, however.
Integrated intervention strategies with multi-sectoral engagement were needed to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks.
The researchers said that increasing the availability and accessibility of healthy food was crucial.