Perceptions of the possible health and economic impacts of Seattle's sugary beverage tax.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Taxes on sugary beverages are an emerging strategy to improve health by reducing consumption and raising revenues to support community wellbeing. However, taxes may have unintended consequences, and perceptions of these consequences may affect attitudes towards this policy.

Methods

In June 2017, the Seattle City Council passed an ordinance imposing a tax on sugary beverages, effective January 1, 2018. Between October and December 2017, we recruited 851 adults in Seattle to complete a survey (telephone or online) about support for the tax and their perceptions of tax-related health and economic impacts. We first analyzed data for the full sample. We then tested for differences in participants' responses by household income level (< 260% Federal Poverty Level [FPL],

SUBMITTER: Oddo VM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6617661 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature