(Finance) – “The entry into force of the tax on soft drinks with added sweeteners, so -called Sugar Taxcould generate a ‘domino effect’ with strongly negative socio-economic outcomes for the Italian agri-food system without however guaranteeing anything certainly from the point of view of the protection of health that should represent its intimate motivation. In a hypothetical ranking of the average pro-capita consumption of drinks with added sweeteners, in fact, the our country is not only in the last place among European states, but with a value in 2022 of 54 liters/year which is about 45% lower than 98 liters/year of the European average“. He said it Cesare Pozzi, professor of industrial economy at the Luiss Guido Carli Universityregarding the debate on the introduction of the sugar tax.
“WHO recommendations relating to the introduction of a sugar tax, therefore, cannot represent the economic and health foundation for its application in Italy. This tax is also the daughter of a huge contradiction that I hope this government wants to heal. Tax revenue estimated in headquarters of the Budget Legis is equal to 280 million euros/year So the tax is calculated by assuming that the volumes consumed and products will remain substantially unchanged. But in this case we are in evident contrast with the same recommendation of the WHO and the health assumption that, alone, could justify its adoption, “concludes Pozzi, is not least.