Most everyone knows that drinks like soda are unhealthy due to their high sugar content. In many communities, the prevalence of obesity has reached levels that have public health officials raising alarms and proposing solutions to what many describe as a crisis.

Globally, legislators and policy leaders have enacted rules or are considering changes to reign in obesity, including limiting where you can purchase sugary drinks like schools or prohibiting advertising that targets children. There are also “sin taxes” for unhealthy foods, caps on serving sizes, and labeling requirements. Opposition to such measures typically fall into one of two buckets—it is an unfair restriction on personal choice, or these measures have not proven to have the desired effect on public health.

A study published in the Public Library Of Science (PLOS) Journal examining Chile’s full-frontal approach towards combating obesity may dampen the arguments based on efficacy. While not definitive, it is the first study to show a significant decline in sugary drink consumption on a national level within a year of enactment. The study also suggests a synergistic effect when they enact several related regulations simultaneously.