The association between the health promotion levy and employment in South Africa: an interrupted time series analysis
Abstract Background The production and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have been increasing over the past years, globally. However, there is overwhelming evidence linking SSBs to the rising prevalence in obesity and its comorbidities. In South Africa, the prevalence of overweight and...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01012-6 |
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| author | Chengetai Dare Micheal Kofi Boachie Susan Goldstein Evelyn Thsehla |
| author_facet | Chengetai Dare Micheal Kofi Boachie Susan Goldstein Evelyn Thsehla |
| author_sort | Chengetai Dare |
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| description | Abstract Background The production and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have been increasing over the past years, globally. However, there is overwhelming evidence linking SSBs to the rising prevalence in obesity and its comorbidities. In South Africa, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is high and is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In response to rising prevalence in obesity and its comorbidities, on 1 April 2018 the South African government introduced an SSB tax, known as the Health Promotion Levy (HPL). However, the levy has been opposed by the sugar industry, claiming that it leads to jobs losses. Against this backdrop, this study seeks to investigate the association between the HPL and employment in the sugar industry. Methods We employed single-group interrupted time series analyses using the Quarterly Labour Force Survey data from Statistics South Africa. Results Our results show that the HPL has not been associated with job losses (or generation) in the sugar-related industries in South Africa. These findings are consistent with the findings on the effects of SSB taxes on employment in other jurisdictions. Conclusions Considering that the HPL does not impede employment, and the overwhelming evidence on the effectiveness of SSB taxes, together with the relatively low tax burden, it is imperative that the government raises the HPL from the current 8% of the retail price to the WHO-recommended 20% threshold. The government should also consider expanding the HPL to fruit juices. Such strategies are important in encouraging people to reduce the intake of SSBs, while enabling the government to raise additional revenue for the fiscus. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-afdda1d998af4c8f9ea3a6e38846f3f1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-afdda1d998af4c8f9ea3a6e38846f3f12025-02-02T12:12:21ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-01-011111810.1186/s40795-025-01012-6The association between the health promotion levy and employment in South Africa: an interrupted time series analysisChengetai Dare0Micheal Kofi Boachie1Susan Goldstein2Evelyn Thsehla3SAMR/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandSAMR/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandSAMR/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandSAMR/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the WitwatersrandAbstract Background The production and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have been increasing over the past years, globally. However, there is overwhelming evidence linking SSBs to the rising prevalence in obesity and its comorbidities. In South Africa, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is high and is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In response to rising prevalence in obesity and its comorbidities, on 1 April 2018 the South African government introduced an SSB tax, known as the Health Promotion Levy (HPL). However, the levy has been opposed by the sugar industry, claiming that it leads to jobs losses. Against this backdrop, this study seeks to investigate the association between the HPL and employment in the sugar industry. Methods We employed single-group interrupted time series analyses using the Quarterly Labour Force Survey data from Statistics South Africa. Results Our results show that the HPL has not been associated with job losses (or generation) in the sugar-related industries in South Africa. These findings are consistent with the findings on the effects of SSB taxes on employment in other jurisdictions. Conclusions Considering that the HPL does not impede employment, and the overwhelming evidence on the effectiveness of SSB taxes, together with the relatively low tax burden, it is imperative that the government raises the HPL from the current 8% of the retail price to the WHO-recommended 20% threshold. The government should also consider expanding the HPL to fruit juices. Such strategies are important in encouraging people to reduce the intake of SSBs, while enabling the government to raise additional revenue for the fiscus.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01012-6Health Promotion LevyEmploymentSSB taxSugar industrySouth AfricaObesity |
| spellingShingle | Chengetai Dare Micheal Kofi Boachie Susan Goldstein Evelyn Thsehla The association between the health promotion levy and employment in South Africa: an interrupted time series analysis BMC Nutrition Health Promotion Levy Employment SSB tax Sugar industry South Africa Obesity |
| title | The association between the health promotion levy and employment in South Africa: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_full | The association between the health promotion levy and employment in South Africa: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_fullStr | The association between the health promotion levy and employment in South Africa: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The association between the health promotion levy and employment in South Africa: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_short | The association between the health promotion levy and employment in South Africa: an interrupted time series analysis |
| title_sort | association between the health promotion levy and employment in south africa an interrupted time series analysis |
| topic | Health Promotion Levy Employment SSB tax Sugar industry South Africa Obesity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01012-6 |
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