Should There Be a Tax on Soft Drinks?
sxc.hu: swissboy
You may already be aware of the hot debate going on in the news right now about plans in the US to tax sodas and sugary drinks in an attempt to curb the obesity epidemic.
The idea is that the billions of dollars raised as a result will help pay for the burden obesity puts on the healthcare system.
Newsy.com have put together a video highlighting the controversy, and it shows several different perspectives of the argument.
You can check out the video below:
As you know, I’m not a fan of soft drinks, and I do believe people should be discourage from consuming them. But, is taxing them really the way to go? I’m not sure!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this…
Do you think putting a tax on soft drinks is an effective solution to fight obesity and pay for healthcare?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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27 Comments
Steve Parker, M.D.
09.23.2009
I vote against a soda tax.
There’s so much Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in current U.S. government budgets that we’d be crazy to give them even more of our hard-earned money.
After our rulers drastically reduce W, F, and A, let’s talk about it.
-Steve
.-= Steve Parker, M.D.´s last blog ..Quote of the Day =-.
Melanie
09.24.2009
Yes, I can see what you mean Steve.
It seems like a proposal which has the best wishes of the people in mind, but really it’s just about money deep down–same old story again and again!
Tom
09.23.2009
Absolutely. Soft drinks, just like cigarettes, contain absolutely no nutritional value. Soda doesn’t even hydrate you. People drink soda all their lives and then become a burden to society when they are on disability or in the hospital. I think that they should pay for their demise, not my tax dollars.
However, if soda was taxed, what about candy? What about fast food? I think the soda companies would say that it is unfair to target them. Thus, I think all unhealthy food should be taxed since our tax dollars end up paying for the repercussions either way.
Healthy Eating Guide
09.24.2009
We currently tax alcohol and cigarettes, so why not soft drinks, which have contributed significantly to the 66% overweight/obesity rate in the U.S.?
Granted, it’s a touchy subject and one could argue against the role of the government in a capitalist system but look at the potential advantages: billions of dollars to invest in preventative medicine and anti-obesity programs.
If our lawmakers actually put together an intelligent piece of legislation this could have serious potential, but I guess until we see it who knows?
Melanie
09.25.2009
Healthy Eating Guide,
I think if the government were sure to use the money wisely then it could be a good idea, but I don’t know if that’ll happen! Do you really think taxing sodas will lead to decreased consumption?
Healthy Eating Guide
09.25.2009
You can argue that no government spends money wisely. The backers of the soda tax include special interest like the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which is one of the top authorities on nutrition. The plan that they are suggesting involves using the funds derived from the soda taxes to invest in preventative medicine and healthy lifestyle initiatives. So even if it doesn’t lead to decreased consumption (I personally think it would) at the very least there’s some good that comes out of it.
It’s a pretty cynical viewpoint to suggest that all of our tax money goes to “Waste, Fraud”, etc.
I think the pros certainly outweigh the cons.
Melanie
09.26.2009
Investing in preventative medicine and healthy lifestyle initiatives is certainly a worthwhile cause, which I’m all for.
John W. Zimmer
09.27.2009
Ok, Firstly it is not a given this study is right. Following the logic, if all sodas disappeared overnight, would the case for obesity be solved? I think not.
Secondly, why pick on sodas? Why not salad dressing? One could argue that people get fatter eating “diet” salad ladened with salad dressing? I have no evidence for this (I’m just following the absurd argument to the nth degree of how sodas are to blame for obesity).
By the way I agree that sodas are not really needed but how do they differ than any other food that can be over consumed?
I guess we could just tax everything that some “official” body deems not healthy… but would that solve anything? And don’t get me started about the government being a good fiduciary agent for collected taxes.
.-= John W. Zimmer´s last blog ..Merry Eating Season! =-.
Melanie
09.28.2009
Hey John,
That is such a good point–why pick on sodas solely??? I totally agree with you about the so-called diet foods, people shove them down their throats and wonder why they never seem to lose any weight!
How about if the government just made healthy foods like fruits and vegetables cheaper instead–wouldn’t that be a better idea???????
Steve Parker, M.D.
09.24.2009
A soda tax would also be a regressive tax, falling disproportionately on the lower income brackets. They are the ones who drink more soda, and are more likely to be oveweight than the highest income earners.
[Sorry I don't have specific sources to back up my statements.]
-Steve
.-= Steve Parker, M.D.´s last blog ..Chocolate Linked to Lower Cardiac Death Rate After First Heart Attack: Yippee! =-.
Healthy Eating Guide
09.25.2009
I don’t necessarily agree with this. I have seen data that shows how lower income communities consume more fast food but have never seen evidence to support the claim that they drink more soda.
Additionally, a tax on a can of soda would discourage use in these communities, thereby promoting healthier habits and hopefully putting a dent in those obesity statistics. It’s not a “break the bank” tax either so that the argument that it may be regressive in nature is a weak one, in my opinion.
Melanie
09.25.2009
Steve,
Yes, I see what you mean. What’s the answer then?? More education for lower income groups–or has that been done already to no effect?
Izzy
09.25.2009
I think that soda should be taxed; It’s the biggest epidemic–not swine flu. So many people are drinking it with out knowing the precautions to their health because they don’t know what it’s doing to they’re body. If we can get it taxed maybe it will make more people realize how bad it is for them if the government is stepping in. I can tell you that my friends and especially my boyfriend buy more soda because it is so cheap. They should really bring the prices of soda to equal that of fruit juice, but that’s not going to happen. Warnings against soft drinks have dated back to 1942 so any movement against soda, I consider it for the better.
http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/soft.html
Melanie
09.25.2009
Perhaps it should come with a health warning on the side of the pack–would that help do you think?
Cathy in NZ
09.25.2009
I take issues with how the tax gatherers are going to use the tax “to help the health arena” and who is going to be the watchdog to make sure it all goes into that area.
For a short while, there will be less drinks bought because of the increase in the price – then that price becomes less noticeable and the buyers return to their favourite tipple.
The taxes on other non-healthy items like tobacco…has not seen a closing down of that industry. No, people might hesitate for a few months then they just wear the costs etc.
I think, it would be better to use some of other taxes to re-educate and help the obesity problem from another area. Maybe a subsidy on something that is out of the reach of those currently affected. I know very little about the American health care system other than what the media tells me (I’m in NZ)
.-= Cathy in NZ´s last blog ..You never know what’s in a trademans’ toolbox =-.
Melanie
09.26.2009
Hi Cathy
Yeah, I’m the same being here in the UK, I find it interesting to hear the different viewpoints from everyone.
Do you think the health warnings on tobacco have helped reduce people use? I’m wondering if that would be a good idea of the labeling of sodas.
Cathy in NZ
09.26.2009
Looking at the number of young students puffing away on cigarettes, I don’t think there has been a reduction. I was talking to a student, who was moaning they were broke but I noticed they were smoking one of the more expensive brands. (I don’t smoke but just last week I was in the Uni cafe and was talking to the till operator about prices!)
All my ex-DH did when the prices soared was to change to a cheaper brand. He has though unfortunately ‘paid’ for the habit and has a few lower leg vascular problems which he of course swears has nothing to do with ‘baccy’
but he is not my problem now!
I suspect that the warnings on the packet…just get a slight glance but now that they have been on for a long while. The packet is just the vehicle for the smokes
And the same will happen with warnings on ‘drinks’ – the bottle is just the package to the fix
.-= Cathy in NZ´s last blog ..Spring – Sprung where? =-.
Melanie
09.26.2009
Hum… yes, I suppose we become conditioned to the warnings when we see them so much. Not an easy issue to solve!
Carla
09.26.2009
I dont think taxing cigarettes have cut down on people smoking. People stop smoking because its unhealthy, not because its expensive. I’m not sure if taxing soda will make a difference in people’s lifestyle choices. Interesting question!
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Green and Chic Reader Survey =-.
Melanie
09.28.2009
Hi Carla,
Yes, I think you’re right–people usually don’t stop something because of the cost, they can usually find those extra few cents somewhere.
Gordie Rogers
09.27.2009
I want to address the argument that price increases haven’t stopped people smoking. You’re right. You’ll never stop people smoking. However, what I’ve seen in China is expats who have come here to live and either take up smoking for the first time or start smoking again after having quit in the West because it’s so cheap here. Packets of 20 start at 50c U.S. It seems it’s low price which encourages them to start here, whereas they would be much more deterred by price back in the West.
Thanks.
.-= Gordie Rogers´s last blog ..Saturday Spew and Shout Out: September 26th 2009. =-.
Melanie
09.28.2009
Hi Gordie,
That’s a really interesting point–in reality when cigarettes are dirt cheap people feel they’ve little to lose, and the health issues go out the window. Thanks for adding your thoughts, I’m really intrigued by this argument now!
Cathy in NZ
09.27.2009
Not only is there the ‘warning label issue’ there is the whole ‘labelling issue’ full stop…ok it’s great that some of it is there:
contents – value of energy/minerals etc – serving size – where it was made/who is the distributor
it’s got to a point where – after you bought something once and checked the label…we/I am not looking at it anymore. All I am sscanning shelf for it – the known colour/brand
.-= Cathy in NZ´s last blog ..Spring – Sprung where? =-.
healthcareandlife.com
10.02.2009
If the tax is added, there should be some subsidy to other health drinks
.-= healthcareandlife.com´s last blog ..Simple Steps to Fight Constipation =-.
Melanie
10.02.2009
In an ideal world perhaps! Unfortunately, I can’t see that happening!
Kristy
10.07.2009
I live in the us, and don’t honestly think the soda tax will stop people from buying it. Having said that, I am all for the tax if it helps the people in this country get the health care they need. To point out, for those in this country crying about the extra tax on it( there is a commercial on tv/internet about “oh how hard it is for me to feed my family and the government is adding taxes.. wah wah wah.”), if your that broke, you shouldn’t be drinking/buying that anyways. And you certainly shouldn’t be giving that to your children. Drink water or juice. I’d love to see the price of fruits and veggies come down a bit, but don’t think that would change much. People buy what they like, even if it costs them more. And I myself am very overweight(so I don’t want to see complaints of me not knowing what it’s like.) I make 600 a month and don’t buy junk food any longer. People need to wise up!
Melanie
10.08.2009
Hi Kirsty,
Yes, I agree with you. People will buy what they like, they need to make that commitment to themselves first to be healthier, rather than blaming it all on the government, etc. I’d also like to see the price of fruits and veggies come down a bit though.
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