A new study by Heart & Stroke found a significant shift in buying habits thanks to the province’s sugar tax.

The province announced it would be dropping the controversial tax last month.

The study, led by researchers at Memorial University, found a significant dip in the purchase of sugar-sweetened drinks, and a shift in buying habits.

Researchers found that at the start many people were frustrated with price increases because they were unaware that products they bought fell under the sugar tax.

And that resulted in a shift in buying habits.

Researcher Rachel Prowse found that consumers were switching to diet or sugar-free drinks in an effort to skirt the levy.

The data collected showed that the tax added an extra 60 cents to the average grocery bill—equating to just over $30 a year.

The tax will come off the price of affected products July 1.