Amount of sugar consumed from fizzy drinks falls sharply since tax was introduced

Under the Obesity Policy and Action Plan, the tax aims to reduce sugar consumption from carbonated drinks and encourage brands to reformulate their products. 

The tax is charged per hectolitre and is collected at a producer or importer level. 

The evaluation showed sugar consumption fell before levelling off in 2022. 

In 2010, nearly six kilos of sugar was consumed per person from fizzy drinks bought in stores. This then fell to five kilos per person when the tax was introduced, before falling to 3.8kg per person in 2022.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the sugar tax was "one of many tools to address obesity and reduce the associated risks of type 2 diabetes, cancer and other non-communicable diseases".

I’m confident that we’ll see the long-term health benefits of this significant reduction in the years to come, in particular amongst our children and young people.

“I am also heartened to know that four out of five of the leading soft drinks brands have been reformulated to fall outside the tax threshold altogether," he said. 

“However, I am concerned at the significant increase in consumption of energy drinks, which are not recommended for sale to under 16-year-olds, and this will need further examination."

Finance Minister Jack Chambers added the findings supported "international research that fiscal measures are a viable policy option to change consumer behaviour, and incentivise industry to reformulate and promote public health".

“I welcome the significant fall in the tax receipts in the lower tax band which shows both product reformulation and changing consumer behaviour.” 

Ireland was the 36th country to introduce the sugar tax. At present, 108 countries have introduced a similar tax.