Grupo de Investigación en Economía Regional (GIER), Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador.
Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador.
PLoS One. 2020 Oct 13;15(10):e0240546. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240546. eCollection 2020.
To analyze the effects of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Ecuador, this study estimates a Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System model using data from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Income and Expenditure for Urban and Rural Households. We derive own- and cross-price elasticities by income quintiles and consumption deciles for five beverages, including two types of sugary drink: (i) milk, (ii) soft drinks, (iii) water, (iv) other sugary drinks, and (v) coffee and tea. Overall, results show that a 20% increase in the price of SSBs will decrease the consumption of soft drinks and other sugary drinks by 27% and 22%, respectively. Heterogeneous consumer behavior is revealed across income and consumption groups, as well as policy-relevant complementarity and substitution patterns. Policy impacts are simulated by considering an 18 cents per liter tax, implemented in Ecuador, and an ad-valorem 20% tax on the price. Estimated tax revenues and weight loss are larger for the latter. From a health perspective, high-income and heavy consumer households would benefit the most from this policy. Our study supports an evidence-based debate on how to correctly design and monitor food policy.
为分析厄瓜多尔对含糖饮料（SSBs）征税的影响，本研究使用 2011-2012 年城乡家庭收入和支出全国调查的数据，估计了一个二次近似理想需求系统模型。我们根据五个饮料（包括两种含糖饮料：（i）牛奶和（ii）软饮料）的收入五分位数和消费十分位数，推导出了自价格和交叉价格弹性。总的来说，结果表明，SSBs 价格上涨 20%，将分别减少软饮料和其他含糖饮料的消费 27%和 22%。收入和消费群体之间存在异质的消费者行为，以及相关的互补和替代模式。通过考虑厄瓜多尔实施的每升 18 美分的税和对价格征收 20%的从价税，模拟了政策影响。后者的估计税收收入和体重减轻更大。从健康角度来看，高收入和重度消费者家庭将从这项政策中获益最多。我们的研究支持了基于证据的辩论，即如何正确设计和监测食品政策。
