Last week the governor of New York State, David Patterson proposed a tax on soft drinks and other “sugared beverages”. In this commentary he contributed to CNN, he explains why.Comparing the obesity epidemic of today to the smoking insurgence of decades gone by, he argues that taxing a large contributor to obesity may help decrease the problem. Similar to how cigarette taxes helped decrease the amount of smokers, he believes people will think twice before spending extra money on soft drinks.
Patterson speaks as if this is just the beginning of his crusade against obesity and I, personally, applaud him. More people of power need to take action in order to protect children from this horrible condition that not only harms their health but also their self-esteem and body image.
While I’m not certain how effective the tax will be and only time will tell, I do think it’s a major step in the right direction. If citizens are unwilling or somehow unable to regulate their own health, a tax on harmful “luxury” items like this may be a good answer.
What’s your take on it? Is this too much government interference in our choice of foods or is this a reasonable tax on an unnecessary luxury?
What’s your take on it? Is this too much government interference in our choice of foods or is this a reasonable tax on an unnecessary luxury?
Interested in how the “powers that be” promote healthy living through penalizing unhealthy choices? Check out this comparable story on increased insurance rates for the obese.
Comments
I personally think taxes like this are a step in the right direction. Why not tax the items that cause our bodies hard anyway with the economy in the state it is in and the need to raise taxes approaching. I say this because I dont drink sodas anymore so those it affect may feel different. I once drank 6 to 8 sodas a day. I had no idea the calories each contained but when i stopped this year I noticed a huge difference in my body. I would hope that such a tax would deter others from consuming large quantities of these sugary beverages. Just my opinion
I don't really think taxes like these are good. If having people make healthier choices is the goal, then public service announcements and programs to educate people about the benefits of healthy living should be implemented. I don't drink so soda everyday, but I'll have one at times. So am I being unhealthy buying a soda, a cupcake, a hotdog, a beer? Why should I be penalized? I find this whole tax thing to be a simple money grab because of what's going on in the economy. Besides, we can't start forcing people out of their own choices. Education and prevention programs work much better than penalizing people.
This is the most ludicrous idea I have ever heard . It is just an excuse to sock it to the average person with more taxes on everything because they can't find a way to balance there way out of whack budget but they refuse to get rid of many state workers or programs . This is not an attack on obesity its just a poor excuse for another tax . Where does it end you could put this on everything from candy bars to potato chips which are just as bad as any soft drink . Why not diet software there is much controversy on that aspartame causes all kinds of health problems . Paterson neds to get a grip .
This is the most ludicrous idea I have ever heard . It is just an excuse to sock it to the average person with more taxes on everything because they can't find a way to balance there way out of whack budget but they refuse to get rid of many state workers or programs . This is not an attack on obesity its just a poor excuse for another tax . Where does it end you could put this on everything from candy bars to potato chips which are just as bad as any soft drink . Why not diet software there is much controversy on that aspartame causes all kinds of health problems . Paterson neds to get a grip .
Following this line of logic maybe we should tax murderers and rapists to get them to think about their actions. People consume crap because they form habits early on in their lives. Education is the key to reform, not taxes, not prohibition. Has the Governor come up with a plan to reinstitute physical and nutritional education programs into the schools? We may not be able to dissuade adults but we can certainly save the next generation. Exercise and good nutrition, gee what a concept.
LETS FACE IT. WE ALL KNOW IT IS SIMPLY ANOTHER GRAB.
Please let the Governor that I propose a tax on sight impaired people. This tax I hope will let the Governor see the light on his tax proposals.
Let's do some hard thinking on the subject.
Let each Dept of State cut there budget
say 5% as a start.
I'll gladly suggest other ways if the Governor needs help.....
It's a proven fact that soft drink intake relates directly to obesity and diabetes. With the increase in teenagers developing type II diabetes a sweetened soft drink tax is a positive step. Those who spoke against the dangers of tobacco were wrong. so are those who can't understand that we need to reverse the obesity trend and soft drinks are the #1 source of calories in America!
It is well-intentioned, but bad public policy to attempt to change people's food habits by economic means. Also, people do not lose weight permanently using artificial sweeteners. They can't fool their bodies, which just make them eat more of other stuff to make up for it. Finally, no soft drinks, regardless of how they are sweetened, are part of a nutritious diet. Therefore, the governor should tax all soft drinks, or none of them.
Absurd that you agree with the Governor.
See my response:
shocked.org/absurdity-alert-fat-tax-on-nondiet-soft-drinks-and-other-sugared-beverages/
RIGHT, OK THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GRAB, YOU THINK ITS RIGHT? WHATS NEXT? SNICKERS, PIE, ICE CREAM, THIS IS A LAME EXCUSE TO OPEN ANOTHER DOOR TO AN OCEAN OF TAXABLE ITEMS. USE YOUR HEAD. THEY CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH? HAHAHA...SHEEPLE ... THAT KIND OF THINKING GOT US HERE... MORE TAXES DOLLARS TO WASTE ON ????? YOU NAME. PLUG THE HOLES PATTERSON.
This is a great idea! It won't change people's habits, but it will certainly begin to change the habits of many food manufacturers who have added more and more sugar over the years to every product you can think of. Because of todays food content, one out of three kids today are expected to become diabetic in their lifetime. There will be no such thing as health insurance that anyone can afford if this occurs. Medical expenses will simply over take income. Sugar content and fat content of todays foods are the main cause of obesity and the failing health of Americans. Taxing the source is the best way to effect change. Although, people will not likely change their habits due to tax, food companies will change food ingredients to avoid taxes and the associated stigma. This is what happened with trans. fats. When the word got out that bans were on the way - after New York took the lead, companies began eliminating it from foods. Taxing unhealthy foods will cause food manufacturers to cut down on sugar and fat content. This should just be the beginning of a trend and taxing should spread to other unhealthy foods with no real nutritional value. The money should go to fight diabetes and other obesity related diseases. We have little choice. Diabetes is becoming an epidemic illness with a huge health care bill that we cannot afford, and our sugary diet is the cause.
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