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Dear party leaders, media and individual addressees
Constitutional amendment to introduce a sugar tax in Switzerland
Switzerland is faced with the urgent task of controlling healthcare costs and at the same time protecting the population from the health consequences of excessive sugar consumption. One of the most effective measures to combat obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health problems is the introduction of a sugar tax. This measure has proved successful in numerous countries such as France, England and Chile. In Mexico, too, where a sugar tax has been introduced, sugar consumption has been reduced, leading to a long-term reduction in the burden on the healthcare system. 54 countries have already introduced a sugar tax. The introduction of a tax is also recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Sweet drinks include: Soft drinks, fruit juices, energy drinks and iced teas. Our initiative provides for a sweet drinks tax of 18% on drinks with more than 6.25 g of sugar per 100 ml and a 10% sweet drinks tax on drinks with less than 6.25 g of sugar per 100 ml. This tax is to be applied to all sweet drinks with added sugar and to sweet drinks with sugar substitutes, regardless of the form of sweetener used. In addition, the products concerned must be labelled with special warnings.
The successful model of Chile, which applies the above-mentioned tax approach strategies, serves as a model. Chile levies the tax on manufacturers and importers and was the first country in the world to introduce warning labels in the form of black eights on foods and drinks containing sugar in order to inform the population of the health risks and raise awareness. Studies show that the purchase of highly sugary drinks fell by around 25% after the introduction of the tax, while the purchase of less sweetened alternatives increased. In this way, we ensure that the health risks of sugary drinks are minimised overall.
The revenue from the tax should be used to reduce health insurance premiums. This would alleviate the burden of high healthcare costs on the population and at the same time make an active contribution to promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Constitutional amendment:
The following constitutional amendment is proposed on the basis of the above-mentioned arguments:
Article [xyz] (new): Purpose of the sugar tax
- Switzerland levies a tax on sweetened and sugary drinks in order to promote public health, reduce sugar consumption and sustainably lower healthcare costs.
- This tax serves as a measure to prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and other diet-related health problems.
- The revenue from the sugar tax is used exclusively to reduce health insurance premiums and to finance health-promoting measures.
Article [xyz + 1] (new): Tax regulation
- A tax of 18% is levied on sweetened and sugary drinks containing more than 6.25 g of sugar per 100 ml.
- A tax of 10% is levied on sweetened and sugary drinks containing less than 6.25 g of sugar per 100 ml.
- The tax applies to manufacturers and importers of sweetened and sugary drinks.
- The tax applies to all drinks with added sugar and drinks with sugar substitutes.
Article [xyz + 2] (new): Labelling obligation
- All affected products must be labelled with warnings to make consumers aware of the health risks.
- The clearly legible warnings must be affixed to the packaging in the form of a black figure of eight and make the health risks clearly recognisable.
- The size and placement of the warnings are determined by the competent health authorities.
Article [xyz + 3] (new): Control and implementation
- Compliance with the tax regulations and labelling requirements is checked and enforced by the competent federal authorities.
- Severe sanctions are imposed for violations of the tax obligation or the labelling obligation.
Article [xyz + 4] (new): Entry into force and transitional provisions
- This constitutional amendment will enter into force one year after its approval by the people and the cantons.
- Manufacturers and importers will have a transitional period of six months to adapt their products and packaging to the new regulations.
Final provisions:
his constitutional amendment serves to protect the health of the population, reduce the burden on the healthcare system and lower health insurance premiums. The implementation is based on internationally proven models, such as in Chile and other countries with a sugar tax, and on the recommendation of the World Health Organisation.
We are convinced that this measure will make an important contribution to promoting health and reducing health insurance premiums. We therefore ask you, dear media and party leaders, to support this initiative and to push for and implement the introduction of a sweet drinks tax.
Content is based on research with ChatGPT and the following sources:
- Surprisingly many countries have a sugar tax – this is what it would bring – in German only:
Überraschend viele Länder haben eine Zuckersteuer – das würde sie bringen - World Health Organization: Health diet
- Chile fights against sugar, salt and calories – in German only:
Chile kämpft gegen Zucker, Salz und Kalorien - The strictest country in the world: how Chile wants to banish sugar – in German only:
Das strengste Land der Welt: So will Chile den Zucker vertreiben - Mexico sugar tax – in German only
Mexico Zuckersteuer
[ Translation to other languages is done by DeepL ]