Editorial Board

Mexico's Soda Tax Success

Sales of sugary drinks fell in the developed world's second-most-obese country.

Pricier now.

Photographer: Susana Gonzalez/Bloomberg

One of the world’s highest soda taxes appears to be working. After just one year, purchases of sugary drinks in Mexico are down 12 percent, a new study shows. Even better, the biggest reductions have occurred among the poor, who can least afford health care.

Other governments -- including in the U.S. -- should be encouraged to impose similar taxes and take other strong actions to curb soda drinking.