Israel Needs a Sugar Tax: Proven Health Benefits

Background: Israel’s Previous Sugar Tax

In January 2022, Israel implemented a tax on sugary drinks as part of a broader effort to combat rising obesity rates and other health issues related to excessive sugar consumption. The tax targeted both regular sugary drinks and those with artificial sweeteners. This initiative aimed to reduce the consumption of sugary beverages and encourage healthier dietary choices among the population. The tax was part of a larger health policy that also included educational campaigns and measures to promote healthier eating habits.

However, the sugar tax faced various levels of support and opposition from different segments of society and industry stakeholders. In December 2022, the tax was revoked following political changes and pressure from interest groups, including the beverage industry. This revocation was part of a broader trend where new government coalitions reassess and sometimes reverse policies enacted by their predecessors.

Success of the UK Sugar Tax

A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that the UK sugar tax, announced in 2016 and implemented in April 2018, significantly reduced sugar intake. Children’s daily sugar consumption from soft drinks dropped by 4.8g, and adults’ by 10.9g, within a year of the tax’s introduction. By the end of the study, children’s total dietary free sugars decreased from 70g to 45g per day, and adults’ from 60g to 45g per day .

The research, “Estimated changes in free sugar consumption one year after the UK soft drinks industry levy came into force,” utilized controlled interrupted time series analysis of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2011–2019) to explore changes in sugar consumption. The study included 7,999 adults and 7,656 children, highlighting the significant reductions in free sugar consumption from both food and drinks due to the tax .

Implications for Israel

Israel faces similar health challenges, with high rates of obesity and diabetes. A sugar tax could help address these issues by encouraging healthier consumption patterns. Like the UK, Israel could see a reduction in sugar intake, leading to improved public health outcomes. Reintroducing the sugar tax, backed by robust public health campaigns and educational efforts, could further bolster these outcomes.

Broader Application

The UK’s success suggests expanding the tax to include other high-sugar products, such as cereals and confectionery. This could be especially relevant in Israel, where sugary foods are prevalent. By taxing a broader range of products, Israel can further reduce sugar consumption and its associated health risks.

Expert Opinions

Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, and Dr. Nina Rogers, lead author of the UK study, advocate for extending the sugar tax to more products. Their support highlights the effectiveness of such measures in promoting public health .

Recommendations for Israel

1. Reimplement the Sugar Tax: Reintroduce a tax on sugary drinks and expand it to high-sugar foods.
2. Public Health Campaigns: Educate the public about the benefits of reducing sugar intake.
3. Policy Reforms: Consider restructuring the tax to apply per gram of sugar rather than a threshold-based levy.

Detailed Analysis of the Study

The study used controlled interrupted time series analysis to explore changes in the consumption of free sugars in the whole diet and from soft drinks alone. The estimates were based on differences between observed data and a counterfactual scenario of no SDIL announcement/implementation. The models included protein consumption as a control and accounted for autocorrelation.

Results of the Study

The study found absolute reductions in daily free sugar consumption from the whole diet in children and adults of 4.8g (95% CI 0.6 to 9.1) and 10.9g (95% CI 7.8 to 13.9), respectively. Comparable reductions in free sugar consumption from drinks alone were 3.0g (95% CI 0.1 to 5.8) for children and 5.2g (95% CI 4.2 to 6.1) for adults. The percentage of total dietary energy from free sugars declined over the study period but was not significantly different from the counterfactual .

Conclusion of the Study

The SDIL led to significant reductions in dietary free sugar consumption in children and adults. Energy from free sugar as a percentage of total energy did not change relative to the counterfactual, which could be due to simultaneous reductions in total energy intake associated with reductions in dietary free sugar. The study highlights the effectiveness of the SDIL in reducing free sugar consumption and provides strong evidence to inform policy decisions regarding sugar reduction strategies .

Conclusion

The UK sugar tax’s success demonstrates that similar policies could benefit Israel, reducing sugar consumption and improving health outcomes. By adopting and expanding a sugar tax, Israel can take a significant step towards a healthier future. The evidence from the UK, detailed in the study by Dr. Nina Trivedy Rogers et al., and supported by experts like Eddie Crouch, makes a compelling case for implementing a sugar tax in Israel.

References

1. Thomas, T. (2024, July 9). Children’s sugar consumption halved since tax announcement, study finds. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/09/childrens-daily-sugar-consumption-halves-just-a-year-after-tax-study-finds
2. Rogers, N. T., Cummins, S., Jones, C. P., Mytton, O., Rayner, M., Rutter, H., White, M., & Adams, J. (2024). Estimated changes in free sugar consumption one year after the UK soft drinks industry levy came into force: controlled interrupted time series analysis of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2011–2019). Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. doi:10.1136/jech-2023-221051