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Institute of Dentistry - Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

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  1. Institute of Dentistry
  2. Research
  3. Dental Public Health and Primary Care
  4. Sugar Tax
  5. What is the sugar tax?

What is the sugar tax?

  • The soft drinks industry levy (SDIL), known as the “sugar tax”, is a levy applied to soft drinks.
  • It was introduced in March 2016 and enforced in April 2018.
  • The purpose was to encourage manufacturers to cut down the amount of sugar in their products, helping people consume less sugar overall.

 


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Reducing the intake of soft drinks through health policies such as the sugar tax could reduce tooth decay. For instance, a study has shown a 12% decline in tooth extractions done in hospitals following the sugar tax.

References:

  1. Soft Drinks Industry Levy comes into effect. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/soft-drinks-industry-levy-comes-into-effect.
  2. Rogers NT, Conway DI, Mytton O, et al. Estimated impact of the UK soft drinks industry levy on childhood hospital admissions for carious tooth extractions: interrupted time series analysis. BMJ Nutr Prev Health. Dec 2023;6(2):243-252. doi:10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000714
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