The evidence—and acceptability—of taxes on unhealthy foods

Israel Journal of Health Policy Research

Anne Barnhill¹  Joshua M. Sharfstein²  Selvi Rajagopal³ 

[1] Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University;Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health;General Preventive Medicine Residency, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health;

关键词: Unhealthy food and beverage taxes;    Policy;    Ethics;    Public health;    Obesity;    Food industry;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13584-018-0264-6

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract The global obesity pandemic has public advocates and policymakers grappling with the question of how best to respond. Among the various policy options, unhealthy food and beverage taxes have gained attention as a potentially effective intervention to reduce non-nutritive caloric intake, while raising government funds for health promotion programs at the community level. Yet in many countries, including in Israel, such proposals have not gained broad support. Cities in both United States and Mexico have found that taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages reduce consumption. Yet the food industry has successfully fought many such policies. Looking forward, those supporting taxation policies will need to provide clear evidence, a compelling use of funds raised, a convincing answer to industry claims, and attention to equity in implementation. With no easy fixes in sight to obesity, it is likely that taxes will remain viable – if contested – options for the foreseeable future.

【 授权许可】

Unknown