Beverage consumption among adults in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada prior to the implementation of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax

Abstract Background Lawmakers in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) recently passed Canada’s first sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax. SSB tax evaluations rely on detailed understandings of beverage consumption patterns prior to policy implementation, but there is no recent literature about such patterns among NL residents during the pre-tax period. Methods We recruited a convenience sample of NL adults ages 19 and older and measured participant characteristics via online surveys and beverage intake via previously-validated, semi-quantitative beverage frequency questionnaires. We described the prevalence and mean intake of taxable SSBs, non-taxable SSBs, unsweetened beverages, and diet (non-nutritive sweetened) beverages. We explored bivariate associations between consumption of these beverages and sociodemographic characteristics identified as potential correlates of SSB intake. Results The sample (n = 1233) was 65% female, 57% between ages 30–59 years, and nearly all (94%) white. More than half (56.4%) consumed taxable SSBs weekly, and 63.3% consumed non-taxable SSBs weekly. The most-consumed taxable SSB was regular pop (mean (SD) 2092 (3120) mL/week); the most-consumed non-taxable SSB was coffee with added milk or sugar (mean (SD) 3859 (2895) mL/week). The prevalence of consuming taxable SSBs decreased with increasing age (18-30y 73%, 30-44y 65%, 45-59y 50%, 60y + 43%, p < 0.001), and was higher among males (60% vs. 54%, p = 0.04) and those reporting food insecurity (64% vs. 51%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of unsweetened beverage consumption was higher among those with more education (high school 81%, some post-secondary 88%, post-secondary or more 96%, p < 0.001), those working vs. not (92% vs. 87%, p = 0.006), and those above the poverty threshold (93% vs. 84%, p < 0.001). Weight status was only associated with diet beverage consumption (overweight/obese 54%, not overweight/obese 35%, p < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings align with prior studies of socioeconomic position and SSB consumption in Canada, which collectively demonstrate that, on average, those with lower knowledge and material resources consume more SSBs and fewer unsweetened beverages. This research provides necessary understanding of social patterning of beverage consumption in NL prior to tax implementation. Post-tax evaluations of this policy should investigate potential impacts of the tax on diet and health inequalities, as well as potential unintended consequences of beverage substitutions towards non-taxed SSBs.