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Public Support for the Imposition of a Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and the Determinants of Such Support in Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Fernández Sánchez-Escalonilla

    (Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Albacete University Teaching Hospital Complex, 02006 Albacete, Spain)

  • Carlos Fernández-Escobar

    (Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain)

  • Miguel Ángel Royo-Bordonada

    (National School of Health, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

(1) Background: Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages are an effective public health intervention, but can be difficult to implement in the absence of public support. This is the first study to analyze the Spanish population’s support for a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the Spanish adult population ( n = 1002), using a computer-aided telephone interview with a questionnaire on nutritional policies. The support for the tax was calculated by the percentage of those who agreed plus those who strongly agreed with the measure. The sociodemographic determinants of support for the tax were analyzed using chi-squared test (χ 2 ) and Poisson multiple regression models with robust variance. (3) Results: Of the participants, 66.9% supported a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Support for the tax was 9.2% higher (70% vs. 64.1%) when responders were first asked about support for tax relief and subsidies for healthy foods ( p = 0.049). Support for the tax was 16% and 35% lower among persons reporting center and right-wing political sympathies ( p < 0.01), and 16% lower among regular consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages ( p = 0.01). (4) Conclusions: A clear majority of the Spanish population is in favor of imposing a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Awareness-raising campaigns and a policy of combining the measure with subsidies or tax cuts on healthy foods could increase the level of support among those currently against the intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Fernández Sánchez-Escalonilla & Carlos Fernández-Escobar & Miguel Ángel Royo-Bordonada, 2022. "Public Support for the Imposition of a Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and the Determinants of Such Support in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:3758-:d:776601
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cristina Cavero Esponera & Sara Fernández Sánchez-Escalonilla & Miguel Ángel Royo-Bordonada, 2022. "Public Opinion on Food Policies to Combat Obesity in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Cawley, John & Frisvold, David, 2023. "Review: Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages: Political economy, and effects on prices, purchases, and consumption," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).

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