New study suggests Mexican soda tax works

Mexicans purchased fewer sugary drinks in 2014 following the introduction of a soda tax, highlighting how fiscal measures can be used to improve diets. The average household bought and consumed 6% less sugary drinks. The reduction increased over the course of the year as consumer habits began to shift, reaching 12% by December 2014. 

In the context of the global epidemic of rising obesity, reducing soda consumption is a public health challenge. Consuming sugary drinks regularly is harmful to health, and in Mexico, the primary consumer of sugary drinks in the world, it contributes to staggering rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. 

In response to this challenge, a tax to increase the price of sugary drink by 10% came into effect on 1 January 2014. Now, a year since its introduction, a study by the Mexican National Institute of Public Health has evaluated its effect, showing that it has been successful at discouraging soda purchases across the population.

The tax was introduced following a huge campaign run by a coalition of civil society organisations, Alianza por la Salud, of which CI Member El Poder del Consumidor is a key part. The key features from their resoundingly successful advocacy strategy have been examined in a John Hopkins University report.

The Alliance continues to campaign to improve the outcomes of the soda tax, calling for an increase of the tax to 20%, in line with recommendations from the Pan American Health Organisation, and the earmarking of all revenue to fund initiatives that promote water drinking.

These results highlight how fiscal measures can help change behaviours and benefit public health. CI is campaigning for a Global Convention to Protect and Promote healthy diets, a binding treaty that would give countries the legal tools to recalibrate their food systems to promote healthier choices.