Houghton, FrankMoran Stritch, JenniferNwanze, Loveth2025-08-062025-08-062023Journal of Public Health fdad097, pp.1-6https://doi.org/10.34961/researchrepository-ul.23735811https://hdl.handle.net/10344/11886Background In the face of rising obesity levels, Ireland introduced a sugar sweetened beverage tax (SSBT) in 2018, the scope of which was extended in 2019. To date, there is a dearth of research on the actual impact of the SSBT on the pricing. Method This study involved an examination of the relative cost of leading brand full-sugar and sugar-free carbonated soft drinks in a convenience sample of 14 different Irish supermarkets. In light of manufacturers’ reformulation of certain brands (7UP, Sprite and Fanta), information was collected on the relative in-store pricing of three brands (Coca Cola, Pepsi and Club). Results In-store comparisons of equivalent size and unit number indicate that, in ∼60% of cases, the full-sugar and sugar-free versions of the same drink are being offered at the same price. Even when full-sugar versions of these brands were more expensive than the sugar-free alternatives, the price differential was sometimes less than the SSBT rate. Conclusions The pass-through rate of the SSBT to consumers is sub-optimal. Future policy and research suggestions are outlinedenhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/Irelandpass through ratepriceSSBTsugar sweetened beverage taxHealth sciencesArticlehttps://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdad097(3) Good Health and Well-being