Abstract
ObjectiveTo assess the potential impact of a new tax on sweetened beverages on premature deaths associated with noncommunicable diseases in the Philippines.MethodsIn January 2018, the Philippines began imposing a tax of 6 Philippine pesos per litre (around 13%) on sweetened beverages to curb the obesity burden. Using national data sources, we conducted an extended cost–effectiveness analysis to estimate the effect of the tax on the numbers of premature deaths averted attributed to type 2 diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease and stroke, across income quintiles over the period 2018–2037. We also estimated the financial benefits of the tax from reductions in out-of-pocket payments, direct medical costs averted and government health-care cost savings.FindingsThe tax could avert an estimated 5913 deaths related to diabetes, 10 339 deaths from ischaemic heart disease and 7950 deaths from stroke over 20 years. The largest number of deaths averted could be among the fourth and fifth (highest) income quintiles. The tax could generate total health-care savings of 31.6 billion Philippine pesos (627 million United States dollars, US$) over 20 years, and raise 41.0 billion Philippine pesos (US$ 813 million) in revenue per annum. The poorest quintile could bear the smallest tax burden increase (14% of the additional tax; 5.6 billion Philippine pesos) and have the lowest savings in out-of-pocket payments due to relatively large health-care subsidies. Finally, we estimated that 13 890 cases of catastrophic expenditure could be averted.ConclusionThe new sweetened beverage tax may help to reduce obesity-related premature deaths and improve financial well-being in the Philippines.
Highlights
Sugar-sweetened beverages are a driver of obesity,[1,2,3,4] and increasingly contribute to the burden of noncommunicable disease in low- and middle-income countries.[5]
This included a 6 Philippine pesos per litre excise tax on sweetened beverages made with caloric or noncaloric sweeteners and a 12 Philippine pesos per litre tax on beverages made with high-fructose corn syrup
We investigated the hypothetical impact of the new tax for different income groups in the Philippines using extended cost–effectiveness analysis.[10]
Summary
Sugar-sweetened beverages are a driver of obesity,[1,2,3,4] and increasingly contribute to the burden of noncommunicable disease in low- and middle-income countries.[5]. On 19 December 2017, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act was signed into law and was implemented in January 2018. This included a 6 Philippine pesos per litre excise tax on sweetened beverages made with caloric or noncaloric sweeteners and a 12 Philippine pesos per litre tax on beverages made with high-fructose corn syrup (equivalent to 0.12 United States dollars, US$, and US$ 0.24 in January 2018, respectively). 100% natural fruit juice and 3-in-1 instant coffee were excluded
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call