Dubbel moms på sockerrika produkter. Svaret på Sveriges hälsoproblem?

This paper examines how sugar tax effects the prevalence of overweight and obesity. How great price increase which is needed to reduce sugar consumption to recommended levels is also calculated. The Swedish population consumes on average 44% more sugar than the recommended level. The price increase needed to generate a consumption reduction of 44% is calculated from price elasticities for the goods sugar sweetened beverages, confectionaries and ice cream. The necessary price increase is calculated to be 25%. The paper also examines how the prevalence of overweight and obesity has evolved in the Nordic countries in the time period 2000-2016. Caparisons are then made with emphasis on whether the countries have applied sugar taxation or not. Other OECD countries that have made changes to their sugar taxation policy in the time period is also analyzed in regard to the evolution of their prevalence of overweight and obesity post and prior the changes. The conclusion is that sugar taxation is not a tool that by itself quickly turns the development in the right direction. However, it is a tool among many, that combined with other measures can promote public health and break the downward spiral. Even if all issues related to excessive sugar consumption would not be solved, the effect is highly likely to be positive.This paper examines how sugar tax effects the prevalence of overweight and obesity. How great price increase which is needed to reduce sugar consumption to recommended levels is also calculated. The Swedish population consumes on average 44% more sugar than the recommended level. The price increase needed to generate a consumption reduction of 44% is calculated from price elasticities for the goods sugar sweetened beverages, confectionaries and ice cream. The necessary price increase is calculated to be 25%. The paper also examines how the prevalence of overweight and obesity has evolved in the Nordic countries in the time period 2000-2016. Caparisons are then made with emphasis on whether the countries have applied sugar taxation or not. Other OECD countries that have made changes to their sugar taxation policy in the time period is also analyzed in regard to the evolution of their prevalence of overweight and obesity post and prior the changes. The conclusion is that sugar taxation is not a tool that by itself quickly turns the development in the right direction. However, it is a tool among many, that combined with other measures can promote public health and break the downward spiral. Even if all issues related to excessive sugar consumption would not be solved, the effect is highly likely to be positive