Soda Tax — Where Do You Stand?
Proposed Tax on Sugary Beverages Debated
According to today’s New York Times article (linked above) a tax of a penny per ounce of sugary beverages would raise $14.9 billion in its first year, which could be spent on health care initiatives. The tax would apply to soft drinks, energy drinks, sports beverages and many juices and iced teas. At the checkout, such a tax would translate into a 50 percent increase for a 2-liter bottle.
In a study released today in The New England Journal of Medicine, a link is established between price and consumption of soft drinks — and its potential for weight loss and reduced health risks.
Personally, I like the idea of a soda tax, particularly because the money would be earmarked for our coming-apart-at-the-seams health care system. But I’m one of the few Americans who rarely drink soda. (Ever since I watched one of my molars disintegrate in a glass of Coke as part of a first-grade science project, I’ve been spooked.)
I imagine my soda-loving brother may not respond as kindly, but he’s also a smoker, and hasn’t cut the habit due to high tariffs, either.
No matter which side of the fence you sit on soda and its sugary brethren, I think we can all agree that they’re empty calories with no nutritive value. What remains to be seen is if they actually are making us fat and sick.
Growing up in the 1960s and ’70s, I associated carbonation in a glass as an occasional treat, not part of my daily diet. There was no soda for sale at my high school in the mid-’80s, either; in fact, I recall the soda machines were reserved for teachers. When did this change? When did we develop this voracious appetite for canned carbonation? And if we practiced moderation, would we be having this conversation to begin with?
Weigh in and join this conversation. Where do you stand on the soda tax? Can you envision a warning label of its health risks? How does soda play into your life and would your consumption habits change with a price hike? All sides of the debate encouraged and welcome.
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I’m all for it, Kim. Makes as much sense as other sin taxes.
I’m conflicted about this, Kim. The tax would certainly improve our health, but I wonder who decides what is taxed–where does the “sin tax” stop? Cupcakes? Mars bars? It seems there’s a lot beyond soda that could be heavily taxed…Bagels and croissants aren’t particularly healthy, either…nor is red meat…butter…whole milk…I kind of worry about a Brave New World where the Food Police are deciding what I eat.
Susan, I hear you. I am, too. But soda is so cheap — cheaper than bottled water — which is what has fueled the excessive consumption. If it were treated like a treat rather than a staple, I think I’d feel differently. I enjoy a glass of cold Coke every once in a while, and I’d gladly pay extra for that decision.
In response to another comment. See in context »The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University has developed an online calculator for revenue that would be generated from taxing soda & soft drinks. Have a look, see what you think.
In response to another comment. See in context »While I like the idea of the tiny tax going to health care, I’d rather see more taxes tacked on cigarettes or even alcohol, before soda. But if its the key to more affordable healthcare, I’d probably start drinking a soda every day. But then that would be bad for my health…no?
I can’t say I’m opposed to the tax as a sin tax; I think overconsumption of soda will eventually be proved to be every bit as bad for our health as overconsumption of alcohol.
As a non-soda drinker I’m shocked that adding a one cent per ounce tax could increase the price of a 2-liter bottle by 50%. That means a bottle only costs about $1.30 (using very rough math). That’s half the price of a half-gallon of milk and a third the price for a half-gallon of real juice. No wonder people drink so much soda. Still, it’s quite expensive when compared to using a Brita-style water filter on tap water (costs us about $3/month for replacement filters after the inital outlay of about $20 for the pitcher).
Lineargirl, a search of online retailers/grocery delivery services reveals that a 2-liter bottle runs about $1.99 (from Peapod, Giant’s online grocery delivery), but I had also seen sales for 3 for $5. At many fast food joints, soda is often included in “value meals” — in the “Variety Big Box Meal” from KFC, for example, you get a 32-ounce soft drink. Yes, soda is super cheap compared to all the other options.
In response to another comment. See in context »