Countering Common Arguments Against Taxes on Sugary Drinks

Hattersley, Libby ; Thiebaud, Alessia ; Silver, Lynn ; Mandeville, Kate

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: TAXATION;    SIN TAX;    DISTRIBUTIONAL IMPACT;    TAX EVASION;   

RP-ID  :  AUS0001596

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Implementing governments need to beprepared to face considerable opposition in introducing anddefending a new sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax.Arguments against SSB taxes tend to closely mirror thoseused against tobacco taxes, including that these taxes arenot effective, are regressive (place a disproportionateburden on lower income groups), negatively affect employmentand economic growth, and violate international, regional, ornational law. Around the world, these arguments have beenused very effectively by opponents to impede and underminepublic and political support for SSB taxes, both proposedand existing. Yet, as this evidence brief shows, thesearguments are not supported by sound evidence. Commonarguments against SSB taxes are outlined below, along withthe evidence that can be used to counter each proposition.