Let's Try a Soda Tax to Slow Obesity
In New York City, cigarettes can top $9 a pack. Why? Taxes. You can't mandate not smoking, but you can make it harder for people to smoke.
And sure, government rakes in the cash from it, but no doubt, it's a deterrent. If you can't afford to smoke, you probably won't.
So, should we try it with sugary drinks - slam that garbage with a luxury tax to fight obesity, the same way we tax cigarettes to combat cancer.
I say go for it, let's give it a try. Everyone from the most ardent gym nut, to the lowliest glutton knows soda is bad for you, so let's cash in on the sentiment.
Barry Popkin, a professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina, says we should look at what taxes on tobacco have done to halt disease, and use taxes as a "weapon" against obesity.
I'd like a system where sugary drinks were taxed the most, diet drinks less and water not at all, Popkin insists. If that tax added even 15 or 20 percent to the cost, it would have a significant effect on weaning society off sugary drinks.
I know this screams of "big government" or "socialism," but it's worth a shot. All countries should try it. And, maybe in the U.S. it could help fund that pesky healthcare reform everyone is ranting about.
Via Reuters.
Why tax diet soda? And how about the gatorade I use on long rides, should that be taxed as well? Kool aid? Fruit juice?
And how is this collected? Do we make Coke and Pepsi pay the tax directly or do we do POS taxes and make all merchants spend to upgrade their systems?
Any why just soda? Why not all junky snack foods, or, for that matter, wonder bread and other highly processed foods?
This is simplistic and does, indeed, scream of "big government" and money grab.
ReplyBill, you are so right. This is just another money grab by our government disguised to look like it's done "for our own good". I am tired of the government telling me how to live. I am an adult for crying out loud! I am not obese, I exercise and eat healthy most of the time, but guess what? Sometimes it's nice to enjoy a soda, or an ice cream, or a slice of pizza. It's called LIVING and having some enjoyment. Not everyone having a Coke is going to wind up obese and requiring thousands of dollars worth of medical care.
ReplyOur government is out of control, and hearing about this soda tax nonsense is infuriating. We are taxed enough, we are paying attention to our politicans more than ever, and they will be hearing from us in November of next year!
The author of this article has GOT to be kidding!! Taxing soda? For what it's worth, it's not THAT bad! High fructose corn syrup, carbonated water, and coloring/flavoring. Big deal. None of those are harmful in reasonable amounts.
But that's beside the point. What right does the government have to collect money for choices they believe to be "unhealthy"? What's next? Taxing butter? How about prime rib? Premium ice cream? And have you checked out the ingredient list on Hostess products? Scary...
Anyway, what people choose to eat is NONE of the government's business. This whole thing is just another attempt by the government to control our money and our lives.
ReplyFrom a registered dietitian’s perspective, there are more effective ways to address obesity than singling out one food or beverage. As a consultant to the food and beverage industry, I have followed research which shows there is no science to support that this would have a measurable impact on obesity. Even proponents of a soda tax aren’t able to find proof that a tax would impact consumption, nor would it encourage consumers to buy healthier options. While the obesity problem in America has grown rapidly over the last eight years, the sales volume in regular, full-calorie soft drinks has declined 10% during that time. And, furthermore, soda and tobacco are not remotely comparable. There is no safe and appropriate way to smoke a cigarette. But a soft drink, like any other food or beverage, can have a place in a sensible balanced diet. As a registered dietitian, I teach my clients that the solution is not about elimination of a particular food or beverage – it’s about consuming in moderation, balanced with a good daily dose of heart-pumping exercise.
ReplyIf I recall, a snack tax was already tried in California and it bombed. New York, stop being as stupid as we are.
ReplySoda's expensive enough as it is; people who can't afford to buy it won't drink it. Taxing it isn't going to prohibit people from buying it if they really want it. People who smoke will buy cigarettes, regardless of the fact that they cost $4-5 a pack...it's simply raising money for the state government at that point.
I personally think it's stupid to tax diet sodas--even though they aren't ideal, they're much better than sugared sodas when it comes to the obesity epidemic.
ReplyGerry,
I'm so glad your still blogging! After what, close to 4000 posts on Disease Proof, you stopped blogging there! I enjoyed your writing very much and appreciated the level of research you put into your work.
I'm happy to find you again on the Internet. When you quit blogging at DP, I asked about you in the comments, but they didn't post my question, nor answer it. The least they could do is let their readers know what happened to you and link to your current blog so we can follow you.
I can't find any way to subscribe to your RSS feed on diet-blog... When I try to subscribe all I get is a bunch of forum posts. I don't mind reading the other authors, but I don't want to read what users write in the forum. You really should have author specific RSS feeds.
ReplySoda companies are good corporate citizens. They employ people in various communities and give to those communities in times of need. One of the first companies to respond to the tragedy in Haiti was Coca-Cola with a donation of $1 million dollars to the Red Cross. On the ground, Coca-Cola is getting four thousands cases of water through to Haiti each day. Keep going Coke -- Please keep helping!
Governor Paterson should back off the soda. It is not the source of the obesity problem. Inferior physical and nutritional education, which of course leads to poor exercise habits and ill-advised diets, are the cause of inflated waistlines. Having a salad with a Coke is far better then a bottle of water to wash down a face full of dirty water dogs. Add walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator and you’re golden.
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