Abstract
BackgroundIn Malaysia, the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) tax was announced during the parliament's 2019 Budget Speech. The tax was slated to be enforced by April 2019 but was later postponed to July 2019. The announcement has since generated significant media coverage and public feedback.ObjectiveThis study presents a qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional study using netnography to examine how Malaysian online news articles responded to the SSBs tax after the announcement and postimplementation.MethodsOnline news articles published on popular online news platforms from November 2018 to August 2019 were downloaded using NCapture and imported into NVivo for analysis using the inductive approach and thematic content analysis following the initial SSBs implementation announcement.ResultsA total of 62 news articles were analyzed. Most of the articles positively portrayed the SSBs tax (46.8%) and highlighted its health impacts (76%). There were 7 key framing arguments identified in the articles. The positive arguments revolved around incentivizing manufacturers to introduce healthier products voluntarily, positive health consequences, the tax’s impact on government revenue, and the use of the generated revenue toward beneficial social programs. The opposing arguments included increased operating costs to the manufacturer, the increased retail price of drinks, and how the SSBs tax is not a robust solution to obesity. The top priority sector considered in introducing the tax was the health perspective, followed by economic purposes and creating policies such as regulating the food and drinks industry.ConclusionsThe majority of online news articles positively reported the implementation of the SSBs tax in Malaysia. This suggests media played a role in garnering support for the health policy. As such, relevant bodies can use negative findings to anticipate and reframe counteracting arguments opposing the SSBs tax.
Highlights
IntroductionMost noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, dental caries, and diabetes share a common risk factor that can be attributed to high BMI and obesity [1,2,3,4,5]
The majority of online news articles positively reported the implementation of the sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax in Malaysia
Most noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, dental caries, and diabetes share a common risk factor that can be attributed to high BMI and obesity [1,2,3,4,5]
Summary
Most noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, dental caries, and diabetes share a common risk factor that can be attributed to high BMI and obesity [1,2,3,4,5]. NCDs were primarily a problem in high-income countries but have become prevalent in low-income and middle-income countries [6]. One of the main factors contributing to the rising prevalence of NCDs is the increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) [6]. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2021 | vol 7 | iss. Consumption of SSBs is highest among young adults aged between 20-39 years [9]. Studies from Han [8] and Hazam [10] found that 40% to 70% of young adults in low-income countries consumed SSBs daily, especially in the form of energy drinks and soda or soft drinks. In Malaysia, the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) tax was announced during the parliament's 2019 Budget Speech. The announcement has since generated significant media coverage and public feedback
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