Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1466. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health why the evaluation of the sugar-sweetened drinks tax has not been completed almost five years since its introduction; the current stage of the evaluation; when it will be finished and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16811/23]
View answerA Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Well-being 2013-2025). It was developed in recognition of the growing need for a co-ordinated policy response to the increasing problem of obesity in Ireland and the increasing burden placed on individuals and society.
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multifaceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. Childhood obesity is a key priority under OPAP, as is reducing the inequalities seen in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address the obesity epidemic.
Under OPAP, commitment was given to “develop proposals for a levy on sugar-sweetened drinks”, “develop proposals on the roll-out of evidence-based fiscal measures to support healthy eating and lifestyles” and “review the evidence ... for fiscal measures on products that are high in fat, sugar and salt.”
Following a proposal developed by this Department in consultation with stakeholders, the Department of Finance introduced the Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) in 2018. The aim of the Irish SSDT tax is to reduce rates of childhood and adult obesity in Ireland by reducing the consumption of sugar sweetened drinks as a contributor to health and dental deterioration, particularly among young people. The desired outcomes are twofold; (1) that individuals reduce consumption of sugar sweetened drinks by reducing amount consumed or switching to healthier choices, (2) that industry reformulates products to reduce (not necessarily remove) levels of added sugar in the drinks products. The SSDT has now been in operation for more than four years. Initial indications are that the tax has had a positive impact, particularly in terms of encouraging drinks producers to reduce the sugar content in their products.
A more comprehensive analysis of the effects of the tax is needed in order to understand the impact of the SSDT and to inform any further fiscal policy considerations, and the Department has commenced work on an evaluation of the measure.
To evaluate the impacts of the Irish SSDT tax in achieving its objectives (individuals reducing their consumption and industry reformulating products), a literature review and a methodological scoping review was undertaken by the Department to inform the design of such an evaluation. The scoping review has identified a number of channels through which the SSDT tax can impact on industry and consumers and has also identified successful approaches to evaluation in other countries. The Department is currently finalising the requirements of an external evaluation and will be going out to tender for this work in the coming weeks with a view to finalising an evaluation of the SSDT tax later during the second half of 2023.
