title: Tax on sugar sweetened beverages in Spain.
abstract: This article provides a critical review about the challenges that taxes on sugary drinks as an instrument of health policy must face to reverse the trend of the current epidemics of obesity. We analyzed the experiences of the leading countries, particularly Mexico, and reflect on the counterweight exerted by the industry against obesity policies, and on the power of lobbyists. Those tax policies for public health have to overcome the enormous strength of the industry, which is exerted in several-science and research, brand reputation, influence on regulators-levels. We suggest that a specific tax on sugary drinks has enough potential to reduce noncommunicable diseases and risk -diabetes, Hypertriglyceridemia, hyperholesterolemia LDL, hypertension- via reduced consumption thanks to the high price elasticity of those drinks. Furthermore, the effects are amplified even in the medium term, once established new habits to healthier eating. These taxes could encourage business innovation without inflicting costs of lost jobs and contribute to reducing the social gradient in obesity.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Economía y Empresa.Centro de Investigación en Economía y Salud (CRES).Universidad Pompeu Fabra.Barcelona. España. vicente.ortun@upf.edu.
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ortún
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos en Economía y Gestión. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. España.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: G López-Valcárcel
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos en Economía y Gestión, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. España.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinilla
mesh_terms: D001628:Beverages / Q000191:economics*; D019649:Food Industry / Q000191:economics; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008119:Lobbying; D008800:Mexico; D009765:Obesity / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013030:Spain; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D013660:Taxes
chemical_list: D013549:Sweetening Agents
keywords: Beverages; Cholesterol, LDL; Diabetes Mellitus Type 2; Hyperglycemia; Hypertension; Hypertriglyceridemia; Obesity; Overweight; Public Policy; Spain; Taxes