Luxembourg is once again discussing a sugar tax

In Luxembourg, there's a growing debate about putting a tax on sugar in soft drinks. After the Court of Auditors suggested in November to look into this to make the budget less reliant on tobacco revenue, the patient association Patiente Vertriedung got on board with the idea again. The organisation, which represents the interests of patients in the Grand Duchy, has reiterated its call for a tax on sugar in soft drinks and juices.

The reason for this was alarming data on the health of children and adolescents. According to the association, one in five children aged 11–12 is overweight, and one in three has been diagnosed with untreated tooth decay. Among boys, the proportion of those who are overweight or obese has risen from 15% in 2014 to 22% in 2022, and among girls, from 11% to 16%. These figures reflect a steady trend, which the organisation directly links to excessive sugar consumption.

Previously, the Health Observatory (Observatoire de la santé) emphasised that a sugar tax could be part of a broader strategy to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Patiente Vertriedung insists that prevention is not a matter of personal discipline, but an area of collective and political responsibility.

Supporters of the tax emphasise that its purpose is not to increase the fiscal burden on consumers, but to encourage manufacturers to reduce the sugar content in beverages. They cite the experience of the United Kingdom, where a similar measure is already in place, as an argument. According to data cited by the association, by March 2019, the average British household was consuming 30 grams less sugar per week, which corresponds to a reduction of approximately 10%. In addition, it is estimated that the introduction of the tax has prevented about 5,000 cases of obesity, and the number of teeth extracted due to caries has decreased by a quarter.

Nevertheless, in the summer of 2024, the Luxembourg government rejected the idea of a tax, opting instead for information campaigns and prevention. Patiente Vertriedung considers such measures to be justified but insufficient.