A new policy paper published by the National Treasury has found empirical evidence that supports this notion.
A sugar tax is one way the government wants to try and tackle obesity - which is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer - which burdens the public healthcare sector.
The South African soft drink market is said to have more than doubled between 1998 and 2012.
Treasury's policy paper states that according to available evidence, health-related taxes can consumption behaviour.
The paper relies on a South African study which estimated that the effects of a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages on the prevalence of obesity resulted in 3.8% reduction in obesity in adult males and 2.4% in females.
Treasury's policy paper states that according to available evidence, health-related taxes can consumption behaviour.
The paper relies on a South African study which estimated that the effects of a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages on the prevalence of obesity resulted in 3.8% reduction in obesity in adult males and 2.4% in females.
