January 22, 2025
UW research finds decrease in sweetened beverage consumption after tax implemented
New research from the University of Washington found a nearly 50% reduction in purchases of sweetened beverages in lower-income households after introducing a sweetened beverage tax.
The study investigated responses to sweetened beverage taxes by observing the purchasing behavior of approximately 400 households in Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland and Philadelphia.
Researchers followed the households for a year before and after the tax was implemented in their city, finding a larger price increase in taxed beverages for lower-income households compared to higher-income households.
Previous UW research found that lower and higher income households paid about the same amount toward the tax, which meant lower-income households spent a higher proportion of their income.