Taxes as a steering tool: How a soft drinks tax could help the health system and bring the state millions of euros

Taxes as a steering tool: How a soft drinks tax could help the health system and bring the state millions of euros

According to a report from www.hna.de,

A study by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Liverpool shows that a tax on soft drinks could not only have a positive impact on the health of the population, but could also mean billions of euros in savings for the state. The study predicts that such a tax would lead to fewer people suffering from obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and tooth decay. This could lead to cost savings in the healthcare system and save the state billions of euros over the next 20 years.

Reducing sugar consumption by taxing soft drinks could result in up to 244,100 people developing type 2 diabetes later in life or not at all. With a staggered manufacturer tax on soft drinks, the scientists could predict savings of 16 billion euros for the period 2023 to 2043.

The introduction of a sugar tax on soft drinks has already had a positive impact in countries such as the UK, with manufacturers dramatically reducing the sugar content in their drinks and reducing the consumption of soft drinks. However, there is so far little knowledge about the actual impact of such taxes on the goal of reducing obesity and diabetes.

It is important to note that the way the tax is collected makes a big difference. An independent survey regardless of sugar content could lead to reduced demand for soft drinks, while a tax based on the amount of sugar could lead to changes in drink recipes.

Overall, the study shows that a tax on soft drinks could potentially have positive effects on public health and government finances. However, it remains to be seen how such a tax will be implemented in Germany and received by the population.