What do you think of the proposed soda tax?

[Experiment_626]

tax it. america has a health problem. its fast food and soda and lacking self control at the heart of it. people will still drink the drinks and eat the food, so might as well get some $$$ something out of it.

$$$ for what? Who benefits? Self-control is the problem, not soda or fast food. I drink Coke Zero -- especially Cherry Coke Zero, by the way, just in case anyone wonders. Classic slippery slope. If it is enacted, it will be a money grab, not an effort to actually curb obesity.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Coming from a person who was overweight most of her life and just recently lost 135 lbs, I can tell you this WILL NOT curb obesity..

A doctor says it and politics jumps on it as an excuse to collect more money. I guess thats why I said that this IS political.

I'm not saying it isn't political. Not by any means. I just wanted to look at it from the obesity standpoint.

Thanks for your input. I don't think it would curb it either.

 

[Sanchez]

Diet soda does not contribute to obesity.

That belief may be changing. http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-gain-and-diet-soda-the-link/

Though this thread need not be political, I agree with the prior poster who indicated that this is a political issue. Much of our current healthcare system is taxpayer funded and it is likley that public funding will increase. When taxpayers foot the bill it stands to reason that they should have a say in what others do.

Taxing cigarettes was an easy sell. Taxing Coke and Pepsi will not be as easy.

 

[brockash]

Looks like I'm in the minority, but I like the idea. Soda has absolutely no nutritional value (yes, I know many other things don't either,) and I wouldn't mind having to pay an extra tax to drink it. I used to live off soda when I was younger, and I have the gums to show it. I don't generally allow my kids to drink it, and I think it'd give ppl. a good incentive to go for something else.

 

[Charitycase20]

Another thing I just thought of...if the soda manufacturers really thought this new tax would have a significant impact on the sale of their product, they would lobby hard against it. And considering the size of the big soda manufacturers, they would likely have enough money to be successful. However, I don't think Coca Cola or Pepsi are really too worried about people decreasing their soda intake - tax or no tax.

I haven't read the second page of posts yet, but just had to comment on this poster. (Bolding mine)
Yes soda manufacturers are lobbying hard against this proposed tax. I work for Coca-Cola, it has been on our newsline for about a year now. Everyone is being educated on what it could do to our business, ie. livelyhood. And yes, everyone is stressing about people decreasing their soda intake. Think about it, we make money on take home packages, 2 liters, 12 packs, 20 oz. bottles. Say a 2 liter is $1.29 and this tax makes it upwards of almost $2.00, with the ecomony people aren't gonna buy it! It is a luxury, when folks have to cut back, luxuries go first.
Ok I will step down off my soapbox now, sorry it was so long!

 

[joviroxx]

I'm not saying it isn't political. Not by any means. I just wanted to look at it from the obesity standpoint.

Thanks for your input. I don't think it would curb it either.

you're welcome

 

[MarilIncredible]

I think a bigger problem is lack of exercise. Taxing the heck out of sugary soda isn't going to change the fact that Johnny and Sally would rather play PSP or text all afternoon than ride a bike or run around at the park. We are raising a generation of fat, lazy kids with strong thumbs.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I haven't read the second page of posts yet, but just had to comment on this poster. (Bolding mine)
Yes soda manufacturers are lobbying hard against this proposed tax. I work for Coca-Cola, it has been on our newsline for about a year now. Everyone is being educated on what it could do to our business, ie. livelyhood. And yes, everyone is stressing about people decreasing their soda intake. Think about it, we make money on take home packages, 2 liters, 12 packs, 20 oz. bottles. Say a 2 liter is $1.29 and this tax makes it upwards of almost $2.00, with the ecomony people aren't gonna buy it! It is a luxury, when folks have to cut back, luxuries go first.
Ok I will step down off my soapbox now, sorry it was so long!

Thank you for sharing that! It's been on your newsline for a year or so? I thought it just hit mainstream media.

I wonder if the soda tax will become a reality?

I also read about restaurants in NJ (?) that are pulling salt from their tables for the same reason. I rarely use salt. But that would bother me. I know when enough is enough.

Just like soda. I don't have one often. But if I want one, I don't think purchasing it should carry a penalty.

 

[marcyinPA]

Totally against it...and I don't drink soda. The point that I find stupid is that they want to tax sugary beverages, including soda, chocolate milk, juices, but DIET soda and beverages won't be taxed. Who makes this stuff up, anyway??!! I find it to be a way to scramble to find funds from somewhere...a slick way to tax the American people and reach deeper into our pockets.

 

[LukenDC]

There are many contributing factors to obesity. To single out one product, especially one that many people substitute for alcohol, is poor public policy.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Diet soda does not contribute to obesity.

Oh, no - you haven't heard? Diet soda does contribute to obesity! Yessireesir! Apparently, the artificial sweetener doesn't send a message to your brain that your stomach is full, so you* proceed not only to eat, but to eat higher-fat foods to compensate.

Some doctors or researchers, somewhere, said so

*general "you", not directed at the quoted poster.

 

[dislaney]

I don't drink soda just for the record but I still say no. I think this is a very slippery slope. What would they tax next?

 

[NAB]

Well I don't don't think it well stop obesity.

Here in Canada we are taxed on it already. We pay Good and Services tax on it . Any junk food sold at the grocery store is taxed 5%. Chips, even single yogrut but if you buy it in a bigger amount no. Because they are called luxuraries.

 

[Charitycase20]

Oh Just thought of something else! "Back up on the soapbox"

About 2 years ago (maybe more) PepsiCo and Coca Cola joined forces to make the vending systems in schools healthier. We volunterely took sodas (sugary drinks) out of vendors that kids had access to. If you walk into any school building today, the vendors that are on during the school day only carry juices, water, PowerAde. No SODAS!! Even though alot of school systems use the commission they make off the vendors to suppliment school program funds. Like sports, bands, etc. So less product being sold at a higher price (juices and PowerAde is more expensive than soda) but comission is lower cause the price per bottle is higher to make.

They started this initiative to combat the "Soda vs. Obesity" theory. Ok all done now...I promise!

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you don't like it, by all means, don't buy it. I will never argue with that logic and/or right.

Absolutely. Despite what I 'know' from the research I quoted above, I genuinely enjoy and appreciate Diet Dr Pepper. But I drink primarily plain old water.

and I wouldn't mind having to pay an extra tax to drink it.

Okay, then I have two questions for you: First, what do you think should be done with the extra tax income? And second, realistically, what do you think WILL be done with that money? Honestly.

Say a 2 liter is $1.29 and this tax makes it upwards of almost $2.00, with the ecomony people aren't gonna buy it! It is a luxury, when folks have to cut back, luxuries go first.

Frankly, I think at $1.29 it's somewhat of a luxury.

On the other hand, I'll pay $3.29 (a tad grudgingly, but I'll do it) for a twelve-back of the same soda - both prices before deposit. That's $0.02 per ounce for the bottle compared to $0.027 per ounce for the cans, plus the additional $0.55 difference in the deposit - for the convenience of the can (and then, ultimately, drink almost enough cans in a day to have made a 2-liter bottle a sensible purchase )

 

[dpmfloyd]

This mentality is just sad, IMO.

the reality of it is more sad. think, for a moment - WHY - they want to tax it? because its a problem. americans drink far more soda and eat far more crap than they do healthy food. on top of that, they get little, to no, excercise.

two prime disney examples - 1)watch wall-e. the ship full of fat americans, its not too far off.. 2) just go to WDW - notice the foreign tourists and compare their body mass to american tourists... its disgusting. how many of you have been on the dining plan and pick up a piece of fruit for a snack, over a rice krispie treat. i know i'm guilty!

the simple fact is america's youth is getting larger and larger. they arent excercising. sure, schools should put more money into gym classes and nutrition courses, but its not going to happen. it starts at home. if you're ordering pizza and getting mcdonalds more than 5x a month - thats a problem. if you're buying 2 liters of soda by the bagfull - thats a problem. larger americans have more health problems which puts a larger strain on the already failing health care system.

soda is a treat, not life fuel. when i was 26, i ate and drank like my friends - soda, pizza, beer - i weighed 300lbs. I'm now 30. i work out, after work - i drink water all day, i treat myself to a paid lunch once a week (but even then i'm careful). i'm now down to 200lbs. the last time i drank soda was a sprite in disney. i still might have a beer once or twice a week - but its a treat! not a way of life.

so, that aside - regardless of taxing soda or any other needless food - people are going to buy it because they like it and it 'tastes good' - i'm all for it. take that money from that tax and put it back into the education system - pay for those gym/health classes that were taken away. use it to fund field days teaching physical fitness. but if you're putting away gallons of soda a week and you are crying over adding a few cents to each soda purchase - what do you care? buy water instead! IMO.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Well I don't don't think it well stop obesity.

Here in Canada we are taxed on it already. We pay Good and Services tax on it . Any junk food sold at the grocery store is taxed 5%. Chips, even single yogrut but if you buy it in a bigger amount no. Because they are called luxuraries.

I didn't know it was already like that in Canada. Junk food too? Yogurt a luxury. I'd be steamed about that.

Did it have any effect on the obesity rate in Canada? Does anyone know if it was this referenced in the recommendations by health care professionals? I scanned an article. I didn't see any mention of it.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

LOL - just another excuse to take more of your money while protecting you from yourself. We cannot be trusted with our own health management. Good thing we have the government to "take care of us."

 

[NAB]

I didn't know it was already like that in Canada. Junk food too? Yogurt a luxury. I'd be steamed about that.

Did it have any effect on the obesity rate in Canada? Does anyone know if it was this referenced in the recommendations by health care professionals? I scanned an article. I didn't see any mention of it.

Only single servings of yogurt, the big tub they don't.

No we have obseity here too. Kids do not go out and play anymore, they don't get gym everyday.

Heck you don't even see people out walking in the neighbourhoods anymore, they drive everywhere. Even it it is just around the block to the coffee shop.

And people eat out at McDonalds and such just as much. Everything is convience these days.

 

[brerrabbit]

I for one don't want big brother looking over my shoulder to decide what I should eat or not eat, drink or not drink. The tax on tobacco has worked so well, hasn't it? Prohibition was a hoot. Even outlawing dangerous drugs is working right?

Botom line is you cannot legislate health. People have to make the decision to live a healthy lifesytle in spite of what products are out there. America was founded on certain freedoms and over the years those freedoms are slowly eroding. The reason is because in the end there are no consiquinces for our actions or choices. If you are overweight or obese then there will be health consiquinces period. But still we scream for helathcare to take care of conditions of our own making. We live in a society that believes that whatever happens to us is someone elses fault. I'm fat because companies sell unhealthy junk food, because McDonalds food is unhealthy and I have to eat there because of my kids. The list goes on and on. If people would just say, I am overweight becasue "I" make poor food choices instead of saying "I" am fat because Coke made me fat.