Bermuda’s population relies heavily on the importation of goods, with 80% of foods imported from overseas. A “sugar tax”
was introduced in Bermuda in 2018, aimed at improving the nutritional quality of people’s diet. Import tariffs on sugary
soft drinks, candies, and raw sugar were raised from between 0 and 33.5% to 50% of import prices. In 2019, the tax was
increased to 75%, and extended to select products with cocoa (e.g., chocolate confectionary). Tax on fruit and vegetables
such as cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, potatoes, oranges, and apples, previously at 5%, was removed.
Imperial College London assessed the impacts of the sugar tax:
1. We asked 400 residents of Bermuda about the sugar tax as part of a telephone survey.
2. We conducted interviews with stakeholders in government, health, and food and beverage sectors in Bermuda.
3. We used data from one of the largest retailers in Bermuda to assess how prices and sales changed following the
introduction of the sugar tax.