Bibliography

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are one form of rapidly expanding ultra-processed foods associated with the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in east and southern Africa (ESA). The market for SSBs is growing and consumption of these beverages rising at all income levels, in ESA countries. Applying an excise tax on SSBs is one within the proposed measures – legal, marketing control, labelling and information outreach – for tackling these public health risks, and is within the range of earmarked taxes currently being explored for domestic health financing. This paper was commissioned by EQUINET and implemented through the Training and Research Support Centre to further explore SSB taxes and their role in a public health response to the challenges of rising consumption of SSBs. The paper outlines the global and regional standards, guidance and areas of legal or policy debate on the control of SSB health risks, particularly through taxation; it provides evidence on the design, taxation levels and products covered in SSB taxation in different regions globally and in ESA countries. It also discusses experiences of and issues around using SSB-related taxation for health in ESA countries. Drawing on the evidence identified, it proposes actions on SSB taxation and issues for further policy dialogue in ESA countries and in the region.