Should Soda Be Tax?

[Google]

Gov. Paterson's proposal to tax soda in New York fizzled, but President Obama says it's an idea whose time may come.

The President, in an interview with Men's Health magazine released yesterday, said he thought taxing soda and other sugary drinks is worth putting on the table as Congress debates health care reform.

"It's an idea that we should be exploring," the President said. "There's no doubt that our kids drink way too much soda. And every study that's been done about obesity shows that there is as high a correlation between increased soda consumption and obesity as just about anything else."

Early this year, a public uproar forced Paterson to abandon his plan for an 18% state tax on soda and other sugary drinks. With Obama having a hard enough time selling health care reform, the White House tried after the interview appeared to put the cap back on the bottle.

White House spokesman Reid Cherlin said a soda tax is "not something we've proposed." And an administration official went further, saying he "is not going to do so."

Still, Obama was willing to at least float the idea. Congressional lawmakers have considered soda taxes as one among many ways way to cover the cost of revamping the health care system, estimated at up to $1 trillion over 10 years.

Thomas Frieden, who Obama put in charge of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also has spoken up for the idea. In his previous job as Mayor Bloomberg's health commissioner, Frieden played a key role in promoting healthy habits, including the smoking ban in bars and calorie counts on fast-food menus.

As in Paterson's case, Obama's comments drew the immediate wrath of industry and consumer-choice groups.

"The tax code should not be used as a method for social engineering, and that's what this is," said Justin Wilson, senior research analyst for the Center for Consumer Freedom, which gets money from food and beverage companies.

Obama acknowledged that the idea could lead to charges that Uncle Sam is trying to dictate personal diets, but he hinted the benefit may be worth it.

"Look, people's attitude is that they don't necessarily want Big Brother telling them what to eat or drink, and I understand that," Obama said.

"It is true, though, that if you wanted to make a big impact on people's health in this country, reducing things like soda consumption would be helpful."


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I don't think soda should be tax..It just stupid..

[Kain]

I actually think it should be.

There's a luxury tax, so why not apply it to soda? It's not necessary.

[Kain]

Also, I think it would help out my little brother.
He's getting a bit on the heavy side, and i think cutting out soda would help him a lot.

[Artificial]

Is this in addition to a pre-existing tax?

i.e. in Australia we have a Goods&Services Tax (GST) which applies to almost every good.

But yes, I think taxing certain goods that are extremely unhealthy is a wise move. Again, down here, tax on cigarettes and certain types of alcohol was increased substantially. A lot of the people that abuse these kind of goods are often unhealthy (especially late in life), and end up costing taxpayers quite a lot to support. I think it is only fair that they pay more.

I mean, high income earners get taxed more because they earn more. Isn't it only fair for other individuals to be taxed more because they cost more?

[noob]

Taxing goods like these is one way of saving on health-care costs, but whatever said and done,

"The tax code should not be used as a method for social engineering, and that's what this is," said Justin Wilson, senior research analyst for the Center for Consumer Freedom, which gets money from food and beverage companies.

as long as people harbour attitudes like this, good luck seeing any reforms on that side.

[Viper221]

They should do it
I always buy soda and i hate it when i see no tax

[Obby]

The majority is thick headed. Tax on chips, Soda, Candy and other fattening things should be tax'd just like Alcohol and Cigs should be taxed. If people want to live healthy but complain about health care costs. but if you eliminate those "comfort" food then you'll be a lot healthier. Just like back in 1950's

[noob]

commercialization and the like opposes reforms of this nature though, as previously mentioned.

If people want to live healthy but complain about health care costs. but if you eliminate those "comfort" food then you'll be a lot healthier. Just like back in 1950's

The cost of health care in and of itself isn't the real problem, it's lifestyles, nothing more. The consumerist nature of the population of today is a sure-fire method of increasing the incidence of lifestyle health disorders (hell, those contribute to a majority of cases in most hospitals, in a middle-class population sector or above.)

[Dragonmikoo]

Tax on Beverages such as soda? I think that should be approved.

[C0FFINCASE]

Taxes=bad
If they taxed soda I would straight up stop drinking it.
We need to get on a tax system that works*cough* Fair Tax*cough* Not come up more creative ways to squeeze money out of people.

[Google]

Taxes=bad
If they taxed soda I would straight up stop drinking it.
We need to get on a tax system that works*cough* Fair Tax*cough* Not come up more creative ways to squeeze money out of people.

Thats whole point.. To cut down on soda purchase..

[Suske]

Well with Obama's health plan, its gonna cost trillions of dollars. So, why dont e tax items that get people sick and are unhealthy for people. If they tax soda, people would buy and drink less soda, which would inturn decrease the amount of people who have diabetes

[BooBearSH]

Soda already is taxed at 7.5% by law of just any item... Why do you want pop's price to increase? I mean sure, the Government will rank in another 10billion dollars this year because of it, but who gives a shit? The government makes the cash. By making more they fuck up the system anyways. We pay plenty enough taxes as it is.

(doesn't read anything on the thread so if I'm way off topic, die)

[BooBearSH]

You're right on topic.
But i think that if they're smart and tax higher on soda, they'll lower taxes on healthier items.

Oh yeah because our government isn't made up of greedy sons of bitches. You're right.(sarcasm)

They'll tax you on whatever the fuck they want to. and everyone knows it. Why do you think they tax you on a dead person's belongings? Because they CAN.

[noblemin]

I disagree. Putting a tax on soda would barely stop anything. I mean the tax is what 4%-6%? That wont increase the price by much

[Oharo - kun]

Should be a worldwide. ^^

[Snow-kun]

i actually think it should be.

There's a luxury tax, so why not apply it to soda? It's not necessary.

i quote

[Smithno13]

I dont agree.
And calling it a luxury tax is BS as well. You dont HAVE to eat fancy food either, you could just eat ramen and crackers, so why not tax all quality food aswell?

[uber_noob]

I personally would like Soda to be tax, as I don't drink it. I've hated soda all my life, and this would be beneficial to me

[Smithno13]

Oh its unhealthy?
Then start taxing cane sugar, corn syrup... Butter as well, chips, cookies, and everything else thats not in a "healthy" eating plan.

I could see taxing soda fast food as a whole, but taxing it at the grocery store is a bit ridiculous.

[Severed]

Tax it. My sister loves soda, now if they tax it, we'll be doing something good for my sister because she wouldn't buy as much PLUS many other people addicted to the corn syrupy goodness.

[Slash]

I think it should be taxed. Less people will start buying it, and that could possibly help decrease the obesity rate.

[pringles]

the tax on soda and othere botlled or canned drinks is just a big set up so when you go recycling you actually dont make a profit but the system works out

[Simon Fiction™]

Theres a slippery slope.
Taxing Soda, then wut? Bread?
Hmmmph.

I'm against it,
not because i like cheaper soda;
but because it's just going to be a test of what they can get away with taxing ^^

[Adam]

Don't tax the soda, we kill you