Somchai Poolsavasdi, director-general of the department, said yesterday that it was going ahead with a feasibility study on collecting taxes on high-sugar beverages and would try to avoid any impact on the operators.

The department is searching for information on the impacts from sugar consumption on human health, and how a limit would affect industries.

It has discussed this with the Food and Drug Administration.

A Finance Ministry source said the reduction of sweetness in beverages in the beginning might be unacceptable for those addicted to sweetness. However, once it is legally enforced, consumers will learn to get used to it.

The department now taxes some types of beverages such as fizzy drinks and fruit juices based on quantity or value, but the law has been amended to change the criteria for tax collection to the sweetness level.

The department has considered the regulation waiving excise taxes for beverages that either contain local content or have no negative impact on consumers’ health. About 100 such products are tax-exempt.