Israel’s repeal of sugar-sweetened beverages tax harms public health

Abstract

Abstract Issue The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) exerts negative consequences on both individual and public health. High sugar consumption is associated with the development of non-communicable diseases, increases health care costs, and reduces labor productivity. The WHO and the World Bank thus encourage countries to tax SSBs. Description In January 2023, the Israeli government decided to repeal the SSB tax which had been imposed a year earlier. Our study seeks to attain an in-depth understanding of the reasons for the tax repeal by analyzing such documents as parliamentary protocols and media articles. Results Israel's SSB tax was criticized severely by the ultra-orthodox community, which maintains a tradition of consuming sweets as part of its customs and culture. In the absence of a plan to change the community's habits, the tax was perceived as a politically motivated economic burden. Moreover, this perception was intensified by the ultra-orthodox political leaders, who portrayed the tax as unfairly targeting the ultra-orthodox community. Lessons When considering the implementation of a tax on SSBs, policymakers must ensure that this tax is not perceived as an economic sanction or as a means of targeting a specific community. To this end, it is critical to illustrate that the tax seeks solely to promote public health. The public should thus be informed about the harmful effects of SSBs and about the importance of reducing their consumption. Furthermore, this information should be adapted to different sectors and conveyed through various means. In this respect, it is particularly important to understand the attitudes and potential conflicts of closed communities and to obtain the support of community leaders. Key messages • To successfully implement an SSB tax, health authorities must clarify that the tax is a public health tool, not an economic or political sanction. • Policy makers should endeavor to convince all communities to support and accept the transition to healthier beverages before taxing SSBs.