Conditions influencing the adoption of a soda tax for public health: Analysis of the French case (2005–2012)

Bodo, Yann Le; Étilé, Fabrice; Gagnon, France; Wals, Philippe De

doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2019.101765

Cited by 27 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Without change at the highest level of the system, even policies which promise a desirable health and equity effect, such as increased taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, are likely to be impeded in their impact. This is because the supply side of the food environment will continue to engineer demand for unhealthy food and drink in low-income groups, even at increased cost to the individual [ 79 ]. Directed efforts to prioritise public health across different sectors following the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of the complex food environment underlying dietary intake in low-income groups: a systems map of associations extracted from a systematic umbrella literature review

Sawyer

Lenthe

Kamphuis

et al. 2021

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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Background Inequalities in obesity pertain in part to differences in dietary intake in different socioeconomic groups. Examining the economic, social, physical and political food environment of low-income groups as a complex adaptive system – i.e. a system of multiple, interconnected factors exerting non-linear influence on an outcome, can enhance the development and assessment of effective policies and interventions by honouring the complexity of lived reality. We aimed to develop and apply novel causal loop diagramming methods in order to construct an evidence-based map of the underlying system of environmental factors that drives dietary intake in low-income groups. Methods A systematic umbrella review was conducted on literature examining determinants of dietary intake and food environments in low-income youths and adults in high/upper-middle income countries. Information on the determinants and associations between determinants was extracted from reviews of quantitative and qualitative studies. Determinants were organised using the Determinants of Nutrition and Eating (DONE) framework. Associations were synthesised into causal loop diagrams that were subsequently used to interpret the dynamics underlying the food environment and dietary intake. The map was reviewed by an expert panel and systems-based analysis identified the system paradigm, structure, feedback loops and goals. Results Findings from forty-three reviews and expert consensus were synthesised in an evidence-based map of the complex adaptive system underlying the food environment influencing dietary intake in low-income groups. The system was interpreted as operating within a supply-and-demand, economic paradigm. Five sub-systems (‘geographical accessibility’, ‘household finances’, ‘household resources’, ‘individual influences’, ‘social and cultural influences’) were presented as causal loop diagrams comprising 60 variables, conveying goals which undermine healthy dietary intake. Conclusions Our findings reveal how poor dietary intake in low-income groups can be presented as an emergent property of a complex adaptive system that sustains a food environment that increases the accessibility, availability, affordability and acceptability of unhealthy foods. In order to reshape system dynamics driving unhealthy food environments, simultaneous, diverse and innovative strategies are needed to facilitate longer-term management of household finances and socially-oriented practices around healthy food production, supply and intake. Ultimately, such strategies must be supported by a system paradigm which prioritises health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of the complex food environment underlying dietary intake in low-income groups: a systems map of associations extracted from a systematic umbrella literature review

Sawyer

Lenthe

Kamphuis

et al. 2021

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act

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“…26 In France, a change of political leadership and continued political in-fighting undermined the initial passing of an SSB tax policy (although a tax policy was later successfully passed). 25 In comparison, in South Africa, the same political party and key government officials remained in office from the time of the first government comments hinting at an SSB tax, through to the first phases of the policy implementation. These key officials had sufficient time develop a multi-pronged NCD strategy, a milestone of which was the successful passage and implementation of sodium restrictions.…”

Section: The Benefit Of Continuitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[20][21][22] However, given the variety of policy determinants that may lead to the successful adoption of a tax policy, or its defeat, there have been calls from academic and scientific organizations to engage in more policy analyses on SSB taxation to foster experience sharing. [23][24][25] Unlike Australia and Hawaii, where the impact of the local sugar or SSB industry posed an insurmountable obstacle to the passage of a tax policy, 22,26 South Africa was successful in adopting the policy, despite a strong sugar cane industry and local business investment in the SSB value chain. This is especially important, given that South Africa is the first country on the African continent to implement a tax policy for health reasons related to obesity, and therefore has precedent-setting potential, which will arguably contribute to the force of multinational industry opposition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of the Adoption and Implementation of A Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax in South Africa: A Multiple Streams Approach

Kruger

Karim

Tugendhaft

et al. 2021

Health Systems & Reform

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This paper describes a case study of the adoption and implementation of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax in South Africa, termed the Health Promotion Levy. Qualitative data extraction and analysis of institutional documents, such as policy proposals and parliamentary debate records, stakeholder submissions to Parliament and media reports, were guided by the Kingdon Multiple Streams Theory as adapted to study agenda setting, policy adoption, and implementation. We present the following key findings: First, consistent messaging from policy entrepreneurs, consisting of advocacy groups, health organizations, and research entities, was key to ensuring that a tax policy solution was proposed and passed. Second, the continuity of certain key policymakers contributed to the relatively expedient passage of the tax policy. Third, the use of an excise tax was, amongst others, an appealing policy solution because of its revenue-raising potential; however, uncertainty regarding the purpose of the tax negatively impacted public attitudes toward it. Fourth, industry arguments, relating to unemployment, were effective in restructuring the tax in favor of industry actors. Finally, regulatory action by sectors outside of finance and health impacted stakeholder perceptions of the tax and possibly obstructed regular annual adjustments for inflation.

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“…The SSB industry followed this trend [6,21,[28][29][30]. This opposition can have a significant impact on the policy-making process and can often undermine public health efforts to address obesity [22,28,31]. The role and influence of industries is of concern given the new focus of these companies on expanding into LMIC as growth markets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Industry strategies in the parliamentary process of adopting a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in South Africa: a systematic mapping

2020

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Background In 2016, the South African government became the first in the African region to announce the introduction of an SSB tax based on sugar content as a public health measure to reduce obesity. This tax was introduced against the backdrop of South Africa having a large sugar production and SSB manufacturing industry, as well as very high unemployment rates. The introduction of fiscal measures, such as a SSB tax, has been met with well-coordinated and funded opposition in other countries. Methods The aim of this study is to describe and analyse the arguments and strategies utilised by industry during policymaking processes to oppose regulatory actions in LMIC. This study analyses arguments and strategies used by the beverage and related industries during the public consultation phase of the process to adopt the South African SSB tax. Results Industry opposition to the SSB tax was comprehensive and employed several tactics. First, industry underscored its economic importance and the potential job losses and other economic harms that may arise from the tax. This argument was well-received by policymakers, and similar to industry tactics employed in other middle income countries like Mexico. Second, industry discussed self-regulation and voluntary measures as a form of policy substitution, which mirrors industry responses in the US, the Caribbean and Latin America. Third, industry misused or disputed evidence to undermine the perceived efficacy of the tax. Finally, considerations for small business and their ability to compete with multi-national corporations were a unique feature of industry response. Conclusions Industry opposition followed both general trends, and also introduced nuanced and context-specific arguments. The industry response experienced in South Africa can be instructive for other countries contemplating the introduction of similar measures.

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Conditions influencing the adoption of a soda tax for public health: Analysis of the French case (2005–2012)

Cited by 27 publications

References 44 publications

Dynamics of the complex food environment underlying dietary intake in low-income groups: a systems map of associations extracted from a systematic umbrella literature review

Dynamics of the complex food environment underlying dietary intake in low-income groups: a systems map of associations extracted from a systematic umbrella literature review

An Analysis of the Adoption and Implementation of A Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax in South Africa: A Multiple Streams Approach

Industry strategies in the parliamentary process of adopting a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in South Africa: a systematic mapping

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