Table 3 Instrumental Industry Strategies Identified in the South African SSB Tax Adoption Process

Domain

Practice

• Specific Mechanism Observed in Public Submissions

Information Management

Production

• Fund Research

Amplification

• Cherry Pick Data

Suppression

• Emphasize doubt in Science

• Criticize evidence

Credibility

• Pay scientists as spokespersons

Coalition Management

Establish relationships with key stakeholders

• Involvement with NEDLAC

Seek involvement in the community

• Philanthropic activities

Opposition fragmentation and destabilization

• Endorse submissions from other actors

• Repeat messaging from other actors’ submissions

Direct involvement and influence in policy

Actor in government decision making

• Provision of technical support through commissioned research

Legal actions

Use legal action (or the threat thereof) against public policies or opponents

• Challenge the processes and procedures used to adopt the tax

• Attempt to delay implementation of the tax