Here on Tomato Talk, we have discussed rising obesity rates, the link between sugary beverages and weight gain, and obesity prevention. In your comments, you suggested dietary changes, awareness about portion sizes, and increased physical activity as excellent solutions for obesity reduction. But, ever consider a soda tax?
Would increasing the cost of soda REALLY help reduce obesity and improve health?
This is the very question government officials are currently considering. Here is what some states are proposing:
- New York: proposed penny-per-ounce (of sugar) tax
- Philadelphia: proposed 2-cent-per-ounce tax
- California: penny-per-tsp tax
- Kansas: penny-per-tsp tax
If passed, these taxes would generate a lot of revenue. For example, in New York State alone, the tax would raise $1.2 billion annually. Officials say this money would be used to fight childhood obesity. While revenue is part of the motive for implementing a soda tax, officials argue that the more important motive is to improve health and fight obesity.
Opponents of the soda tax believe it is an unfair target against the beverage industry. Others believe officials are only looking for an easy means of generating revenue during a recession.
But, how can taxes actually make people healthier? Research has shown that taxing pizza and soda can lower U.S. adults’ caloric intake – an increase in soda prices was linked to an average of 124 fewer calories, and a weight loss of 2.34 pounds. Taxing certainly worked with tobacco – increasing prices has dramatically decreased smoking rates.
What do you think? Could a soda tax really help reduce obesity?
“Hungry” to know more? Sites Earth Fare visited for this post:
(1) http://tinyurl.com/yf9og7r – “Junk Food Tax Could Improve Health” (ABCNews)
(2) http://tinyurl.com/yfgyoy9 – “Kan. mulling new soda tax, raising other levies” (AP)
(3) http://tinyurl.com/yglcrk2 - “Would A Soda Tax Be A Big Deal?” (NPR)
(4) http://tinyurl.com/yk77oy7 – “Tax soda, pizza to cut obesity, researchers say” (Reuters)
(5) http://tinyurl.com/yc7y2rh – “Bloomberg Says a Soda Tax ‘Makes Sense’” (NYTimes)
(6) http://tinyurl.com/yc99ez4 – “New York governor defends soda tax” (Reuters)
I heard a story about the water use tax being increased in a local community because water usage had decreased. Would it become the same for the tax that they apply to sodas now? Would they have to increase the tax on soda once soda consumption decreased? I believe sodas should be considered a toxic substance, and no one should drink them. I believe even more strongly that anything with the word tax attached should be avoided at all costs. We are taxed on everything and anything now, six times over! Increasing taxes will not solve the problem of obesity or improve health. It will only take more money out of the hands of the people and into the wasteful hands of our Government. To improve health and cut down on obesity, I think we could begin by returning true recesses to our schools.
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No – taxes on soda won’t help obesity. It will help the government, yes, but won’t deter people from drinking it. If American’s want their soda they will have it – taxed or not.
Education on ingredients in our foods, teaching about healthy snack options, proper portion sizes, and encouragement to excercise will help fight obesity.
I don’t see why it has to be either/or? If people want a public health care system, it has to get paid for some how. If soda is a contributing factor to health problems in this country, then maybe it should help pay for those people’s health care. There is no nutritional value to soda. It’s not like we are being taxed on something we require to survive.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/New-Mexicans-Against-the-Tortilla-Tax/301928385838?ref=ts
If the tax was on the high fructose corn syrup in the soda and other beverages for that matter, it just may be worth while. The manufacturers would look at the cost feasibility of using cane sugar instead and if that proved positive the obesity trend might just start a downtrend or at least level off.
I agree beverages do lead to obesity, a lot of my friends have faced this situation who consumed beverages. May be it’s the alcohol that enhances the digestion and thus causes weight gain.