Qualitative insights into Australian consumers’ views for and against government action on sugary drinks

Miller, Caroline; Braunack-Mayer, Annette; Wakefield, Melanie; Roder, David; O’Dea, Kerin; Dono, Joanne; Ettridge, Kerry

doi:10.17061/phrp30122003

Cited by 7 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Our findings demonstrate substantial support for policy interventions designed to provide a healthier food environment within public institutions, particularly in the school and hospital settings. This aligns with evidence of majority community support for other obesity prevention policy and regulatory action in Australia 4,6,9,22 and supports calls by the Consultation Report for the National Obesity Strategy for bold government leadership and a collective, systems approach to make healthier lifestyle choices easier. 30 The strong community support for these interventions may be used to garner broader support in other Australian or international jurisdictions.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…3,8 Such beliefs align with greater support for interventions that inform, educate and persuade individuals to adopt healthy behaviours compared to regulatory and policy solutions. [5][6][7][9][10][11][12] The latter are hindered by perceptions of low public support, lack of political will and powerful industry opposition. 3,5,[13][14][15] Regulatory measures are often criticised in the public discourse as paternalist and 'nanny statist', typically by those whose commercial interests are threatened and who favour self-regulation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4,5,18 Greater acceptance has been found for public health interventions perceived as less restrictive on individual autonomy and perceived as targeting undesirable behaviour of others, including that of children. 9,11,18,22 An individual's own related behaviours and their perceived importance of the issue and its major causes, for example individual choices or environmental drivers, also influence acceptance. 11,12,18,23 Intervention acceptance is also positively influenced by familiarity with current policy conditions (known conditions are more acceptable than hypothetical ones), 18 perceived effectiveness and cost savings for Government.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Community support for policy interventions targeting unhealthy food environments in public institutions

Cranney

Thomas

Cobcroft³

et al. 2022

Health Prom J of Aust

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Issue addressed: Understanding community support for obesity prevention policy is important for developing effective preventive health action. This study assessed support for a range of obesity prevention interventions, including food environment policies designed to improve healthy food and drink availability and promotion within public institutions.Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 2006 NSW adults.Questions explored attitudes and beliefs about obesity, the importance of government-led prevention and support for eight obesity prevention interventions.Regression analyses examined associations between intervention support and sociodemographic, attitudinal and behavioural characteristics.Results: Most respondents (80%) believed obesity was a large problem and that poor individual choices (86%) and the widespread availability of unhealthy food and drink (78%) contributed to the issue. There was moderate to high support for most (n = 7) initiatives. Support for food environment policies was highest for schools (76%-82%) and hospitals (67%-79%). Supporters and opponents rationalised opinions based on perceived effectiveness, the government's role and cost benefits. Opponents were a minority, but principles of autonomy were predominant. Attributing obesity to environment-related factors, and personal lower SSB consumption strongly predicted support. Conclusion:There is a significant recognition of the obesity issue and strong support for policies designed to improve the availability and promotion of healthy food and drink in public institutions, particularly in schools and hospitals.So what?: Substantial community support for healthy food environment policies in schools and hospitals warrants continued implementation in NSW. This may foster further acceptance for wider implementation. Our findings could inform the framing of policy advocacy messages.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Community support for policy interventions targeting unhealthy food environments in public institutions

Cranney

Thomas

Cobcroft³

et al. 2022

Health Prom J of Aust

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“…[13][14][15][16][17][18][19] These results have important implications for policy makers when framing policies: educative and supportive measures are highly valued by consumers, both adolescents and adults alike. Inherently, consumers have a right to be informed and have an expectation that government will provide this information, 27 and as such, will likely respond more positively to policies framed in this way. By presenting the policy with a more supportive and educative focus, the level of acceptance is likely to be increased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adolescents report low opposition towards policy options to reduce consumption of sugary drinks

et al. 2021

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Summary Background Policy makers benefit from insight into consumer perceptions of potential sugary drink policy measures. Adolescents are among the highest consumers in Australia, yet their perceptions are unknown. Objectives To determine adolescents' perceptions of potential policies aimed at reducing sugary drink consumption and explore variation in perceptions. Methods Data were collected via a nationally representative survey of Australian secondary school students (aged 12‐17) using a stratified two‐stage probability design (n = 9102). Survey questions assessed receptiveness to five policy options, sugary drink consumption, perceptions of health effects and demographics. Results Low proportions (13%‐29%) were somewhat/strongly against policy options, 35% to 45% were neutral, and 27% to 52% were somewhat/strongly in favour. Highest support was observed for text warning labels on sugary drinks (52%), followed by tax with investment in healthy weight programmes (43%), standalone tax (36%), restricting school sales (30%) and restricting advertising to children (27%). Sex, sugary drink consumption and perceptions were significantly associated with most assessed policy options in bivariate analyses (P < .01). Significant associations between sex and consumption with selected policy options persisted in adjusted multilevel models. Conclusions Opposition towards policy options was low overall and neutrality was common. This creates opportunity for early intervention to increase public support for addressing specific health issues.

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“…13,39 Specifically, industry and political opposition to the SSB tax most commonly drew on the idea that individuals should be responsible for their own diets, a view also common among SSB consumers. 86 Therefore, to reduce opposition and potentially enhance commitment for a SSB tax, the Network could engage with these dominant ideologies by reframing the SSB tax to align with them. 15 For example, by framing the SSB tax as promoting autonomy by helping consumers make informed choices, as new SSB prices will reflect their true price on health and healthcare.…”

Section: Political Leadership and Ideologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Generating Political Commitment for Regulatory Interventions Targeting Dietary Harms and Poor Nutrition: A Case Study on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxation in Australia

Dry

Baker

2021

Int J Health Policy Manag

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Background: Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes are an effective public health policy intervention for improving nutrition and public health. Although implemented in over 50 jurisdictions worldwide, this intervention remains vastly underutilised, and in Australia political commitment for such a tax is low. The aim of this study is to understand the politics of SSB taxation in Australia, what factors have constrained political commitment for a tax, and what might enable such commitment in future. Methods: We adopted a case study design, guided by a theoretical framework developed from the political economy of nutrition literature. Data were collected from 16 interviews with informants from multiple sectors, supported by media articles, journal articles, and grey literature. Data were coded and organized by thematic analysis, and synthesised into the final results. Results: Nutrition actors have made significant progress in generating commitment for a SSB tax by producing relevant evidence, raising awareness, advocating for action, employing resonating frames, collaborating with civil society organisations, and forming coalitions increasing their overall cohesion. Nevertheless, political commitment for a SSB tax is low and was found to be impeded by the powerful influence of the food, beverage, and sugar industries, opposition from both major Australian political parties, ideological resistance to regulation, a low quality monitoring and surveillance system for food and nutrition, and limited public advocacy. The influence of nutrition actors was also impeded by weak connections to key policymakers and missed collaborative opportunities with pro-SSB tax organisations. Conclusion: The identification of several impediments provides an explanation for why political commitment for a SSB tax is low in Australia and reveals several opportunities for how it might be generated in the future. Political commitment may come about through, for example, actions to limit the influence of industry in policy decision-making, and by strengthening the existing pro-SSB tax coalition.

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Qualitative insights into Australian consumers’ views for and against government action on sugary drinks

Cited by 7 publications

References 18 publications

Community support for policy interventions targeting unhealthy food environments in public institutions

Community support for policy interventions targeting unhealthy food environments in public institutions

Adolescents report low opposition towards policy options to reduce consumption of sugary drinks

Generating Political Commitment for Regulatory Interventions Targeting Dietary Harms and Poor Nutrition: A Case Study on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxation in Australia

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