Health Advocates Cheer Initial Results of Mexico's Tax on Sugary Drinks Katie Schoolov - KPBS.org
go to original November 28, 2014

Sugar Tax Helping Mexicans' Health (KPBSSanDiego)

Thirty percent of Mexico’s school children and 70 percent of adults are overweight or obese. In recent years, the country has competed with the U.S. for the unflattering title of fattest country in the world.

Diabetes in Mexico has increased along with its citizens’ waistlines. Excess weight and lack of exercise fuel Type 2 diabetes, the most common kind.

In hopes of stemming what’s become a public health crisis, Mexico slapped a one peso per liter tax — about 7 cents — on sugary drinks starting last January. It also added an 8 percent tax to high-caloric food like potato chips and cookies.

...Preliminary results show that during the first three months of 2014, purchases of sodas and other taxed beverages declined by 10 percent compared to the same time period last year.

Meanwhile purchases of untaxed drinks, like 100 percent fruit juice and milk, went up 7 percent, and purchases of bottled water went up 13 percent.

Read the whole story at KPBS.org

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