‘Sugar tax’ cuts soft drink sales

A DEAKIN University trial has revealed soft drink prices have a direct impact on consumption.

Sale of the sugary drinks at a Melbourne hospital dropped by more than a quarter during an Australian-first trial of a sugar tax.

The trial, carried out at a convenience store in The Alfred over 17 weeks, increased the cost of sugary drinks by 20 per cent.

The results, monitored by researchers at Deakin University’s Global Obesity Centre, showed sales of the sugary drinks dropped by 27.6 per cent by the final week of the trial, while sales of water increased by almost the same amount.

Project supervisor Dr Kathryn Backholer said researchers also interviewed customers and staff to get their perspective on the price increase.

“About a third of the cuss tomers surveyed said the price ce difference had changed theirr purchasing decision, or wouldd have changed it,” she said.

Lead researcher Miranda Blake, of Deakin’s School of Health and Social Development, said the results indicate a sugar tax could help address the nation’s obesity and oral health problems.

“Sugary drinks are considered a good target for price manipulation because of their association with increased risk of health issues like obesity and dental decay, their minimal nutritional benefits and the apparent responsiveness of purchases to price changes,” she said.