Knowledge Brief  Faced with a large and increasing obesity epidemic, in 2013 Mexico enacted taxes on sugarsweetened beverages (SSBs) and calorie-dense foods of low nutritional value.  The decision to implement this fiscal policy was the result of a long advocacy process in which civil society organizations and government agencies participated.  The taxes were designed to avoid, as much as possible, the substitution of consumption of the taxed goods for other unhealthy foods and beverages not subject to taxation.  The taxes have been successful in increasing both the fiscal revenues and the price of the products taxed. There is evidence that they have reduced consumption, particularly of SSBs.  A debate remains on the size of the impact of the taxes, particularly on health outcomes. Thus it is important to continue monitoring the impact of the taxes through the development of price and volume indicators, based on publicly available data, as well as health outcomes indicators.

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