A recent survey revealed that 7 out of 10 adults back implementing a “sugar levy” on businesses manufacturing high-sugar products. While more than 80% of individuals aged 50 and above endorsed the policy, support among those in their 20s and 30s hovered around 50%, highlighting a clear generational gap in attitudes.
The Seoul National University Health Culture Business Unit, led by Director Yun Young-ho, carried out a nationwide survey between September 4 and 18, commissioned by Korea Research, involving 1,022 adults aged 20 and over. Participants were asked about their views on the “sugar levy,” with results showing 71.9% in favor and 28.1% opposed.
The “sugar levy” is designed to combat chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes by taxing sugary beverages. Nations including the UK, France, and Portugal have already adopted similar measures. According to the Seoul National University Health Culture Business Unit, the socioeconomic burden of obesity reached roughly 15.6382 trillion Korean won in 2021—levels surpassing those linked to smoking or alcohol—and emphasized that data confirms most citizens desire a national safety framework to tackle this public health challenge.
Although the majority of respondents backed the sugar levy, significant age-related variations emerged. Approval was highest among those in their 60s (82.7%), followed by those in their 70s (81.4%), 50s (80.9%), and 40s (70.8%). Conversely, support among individuals in their 20s and 30s stood at 54.7% and 55.7%, respectively—remaining near the midpoint.
The survey also explored opinions on taxing so-called “zero sugar” drinks and foods sweetened with artificial ingredients like aspartame and stevia. Despite growing popularity due to rising health consciousness, the long-term safety of these products remains unconfirmed.
Results indicated that 69.2% of all respondents supported imposing a levy on items containing artificial sweeteners. However, age differences were stark: 52.0% of 20-somethings and 53.2% of 30-somethings opposed the idea, while 80.4% of those in their 50s and 60s and 81.4% of those in their 70s favored it. A source from the Seoul National University Health Culture Business Unit explained, “This reflects the habits of younger adults who view zero-sugar drinks as both a treat and a healthy choice for weight control,” adding, “The more frequently someone consumes sugary drinks, the stronger their resistance tends to be toward taxing alternative sweeteners.
The Seoul National University Health Culture Business Unit stressed that debates on introducing the “sugar levy” should prioritize motivating companies to voluntarily lower sugar levels in their products, rather than focusing on generating tax income. This is because critics warn that such a levy could function as a de facto tax, potentially driving up prices.
In this context, the unit recommended, “To address resistance to the sugar tax, we might transparently redirect the collected revenue—estimated at 400 billion to 900 billion Korean won per year—toward public welfare,” suggesting its use for school sports programs, school meal initiatives, health support for elderly and low-income populations, and fundamental public healthcare services.
Furthermore, the unit proposed implementing a ‘Clean Health Label’ system as a complementary measure to promote voluntary industry engagement alongside the sugar levy. This would involve awarding certification badges to restaurants and cafes offering menu items with lower sugar and sodium levels. Notably, 63.6% of survey participants endorsed introducing the Clean Health Label, while 66.9% indicated they would be more likely to patronize businesses that earn the label.
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