Examining the news media reaction to a national sugary beverage tax in South Africa: a quantitative content analysis

Abstract Background South Africa was the first sub-Saharan African country to implement a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax called Health Promotion Levy (HPL) in April 2018. Given news media can increase public awareness and sway opinions, this study analyzed how represented HPL, including expressions of support or challenge, topics associated with levy, stakeholder views HPL. Methods We performed quantitative content analysis online articles related HPL published between January 1, 2017 June 30, 2019. coded presence absence mentions health economic effects opposition. Prevalence these mentions, overall by source (industry, government, academics, other), were Pearson ? 2 post-hoc Fisher exact tests. Results Across all articles, 81% mentioned health, 65% economics topics. 54% expressed support, 26% opposition, 20% balanced view All sources except industry majority for reasons most common justifications harms Statements that sugar intake is not obesity, will reduce SSB intake, cause harm disproportionately high (92, 80, vs 25% prevalence total sample) ( p < 0.001). obesity non-communicable diseases both government (46 31% (p 0.001) academics (33 38% 0.05). improve care costs (47% (44% 0.05), respectively. Conclusions Industry no whereas other mainly support. Future studies would be improved linking exposure data better understand may have on individual behavior change.