Tax on soda

[Peikko 1,575]

A tax on Coca-Cola and Pepsi 'could make Americans thinner'

Levy could also wipe out budget deficits of most US states, says health advocacy group

They brought the world Coca-Cola and Pepsi, two of the globe's most recognisable brands. Now Americans – not renowned for favouring new taxes – have been told that a national levy on its fizzy drinks could not only wipe out the budget deficits of most US states but significantly reduce obesity and diabetes.

The proposal from the Centre for Science in the Public Interest – a health advocacy group – follows the release of a study last week claiming budget-strapped states, including California, could raise $10bn (£6bn) a year by raising a tax of 7 cents on each can of Coke or similar sodas.

Twenty-five American states already tax fizzy drinks. The new study suggests that all states should be made to follow suit. The issue has been taken up by President Barack Obama, who has said in public statements that he believes too many children are drinking sugary drinks. Indeed Obama has said such a national tax could lower health expenditure.

The proposal is being bitterly opposed by the food industry and their lobby groups. "The tax code should not be used as a tool for social engineering. Nor should it be an instrument for penalising individuals' personal food choices – choices that some government officials find distasteful," J Justin Wilson, senior research analyst at the Centre for Consumer Freedom, told the Los Angeles Times.

"Taxing soda pop is another paternalistic policy idea, which holds that politicians and government regulators, rather than individual citizens, should decide every aspect of what, where and when we eat," he said.

"President Obama is exactly right when he says kids are drinking too much soda," said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest. "Soda is dirt cheap and promotes expensive and debilitating diseases, which in turn run up health care costs at all levels of government."

Link

I don't have a proble with the idea of taxing it, but I don't believe either assertion, that taxing it will make Americans thinner, or that taxing it is some horrific denial of freedom of individual choice.

Taxing it will just create some tax income that would be useful and it's not wrong to levy taxes on things that are purely for pleasure which humans neither need, nor do they enhance our health and in too large a quantity they are known to cause damage to it.

Edited October 5, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[zqt3344 21]

When are they going to tax watermelon and BBQ?

A tax on Coca-Cola and Pepsi 'could make Americans thinner'

Levy could also wipe out budget deficits of most US states, says health advocacy group

They brought the world Coca-Cola and Pepsi, two of the globe's most recognisable brands. Now Americans – not renowned for favouring new taxes – have been told that a national levy on its fizzy drinks could not only wipe out the budget deficits of most US states but significantly reduce obesity and diabetes.

The proposal from the Centre for Science in the Public Interest – a health advocacy group – follows the release of a study last week claiming budget-strapped states, including California, could raise $10bn (£6bn) a year by raising a tax of 7 cents on each can of Coke or similar sodas.

Twenty-five American states already tax fizzy drinks. The new study suggests that all states should be made to follow suit. The issue has been taken up by President Barack Obama, who has said in public statements that he believes too many children are drinking sugary drinks. Indeed Obama has said such a national tax could lower health expenditure.

The proposal is being bitterly opposed by the food industry and their lobby groups. "The tax code should not be used as a tool for social engineering. Nor should it be an instrument for penalising individuals' personal food choices – choices that some government officials find distasteful," J Justin Wilson, senior research analyst at the Centre for Consumer Freedom, told the Los Angeles Times.

"Taxing soda pop is another paternalistic policy idea, which holds that politicians and government regulators, rather than individual citizens, should decide every aspect of what, where and when we eat," he said.

"President Obama is exactly right when he says kids are drinking too much soda," said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest. "Soda is dirt cheap and promotes expensive and debilitating diseases, which in turn run up health care costs at all levels of government."

Link

I don't have a proble with the idea of taxing it, but I don't believe either assertion, that taxing it will make Americans thinner, or that taxing it is some horrific denial of freedom of individual choice.

Taxing it will just create some tax income that would be useful and it's not wrong to levy taxes on things that are purely for pleasure which humans neither need, nor do they enhance our health and in too large a quantity they are known to cause damage to it.

[Peikko 1,575]

Watermelons are a not a health risk and in fact are an excellent source of vitamin c so I can't see any reason to tax it, or any other fruit or vegetable for that matter.

Not sure what you mean by taxing BBQ - the sauce? I don't have a problem with taxing BBQ sauce either, but it's not a very neat category to apply taxes to. What is or isn't a BBQ sauce? It's very easy to identify what is and isn't soda for tax purposes.

Edited October 5, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[zqt3344 21]

Ok tax H20 and how about an air tax and a dirt tax and well while we are at it a sex tax or bedroom tax. Or a poll dancer tax. Or a breast tax.

Watermelons are a not a health risk and in fact are an excellent source of vitamin c so I can't see any reason to tax it, or any other fruit or vegetable for that matter.

Not sure what you mean by taxing BBQ - the sauce? I don't have a problem with taxing BBQ sauce either, but it's not a very neat category to apply taxes to. What is or isn't a BBQ sauce? It's very easy to identify what is and isn't soda for tax purposes.

[Peikko 1,575]

Not worth answering. I have clearly given you reasons why soda is fair game for a tax levy.

[pedroh 21]

nice one zqt, couldn't wait to make your 'smart comment'...

on the other hand, that is the most communist thing I've ever heard in my life, obviously Obama suggested that from his evil Obamacave with his evil council..

on the other hand, I think it's good, Soda is not a necessary item like, I don't know, water... and it would be a good tax income as MC said.. although I don't think it'll make Americans thinner just because soda is a couple cents more expensive.. I don't think it'll stop gas stations from selling their 10000000oz cups for 90 cents, and people from buying it

when in doubt between a soda and water, have a beer..

[zqt3344 21]

That is the problem with people like you Pedroh, tax everyone else but yourself, well why don't we tax your income more instead of taxing soda? I think that would be a fair levy of a tax.

nice one zqt, couldn't wait to make your 'smart comment'...

on the other hand, that is the most communist thing I've ever heard in my life, obviously Obama suggested that from his evil Obamacave with his evil council..

on the other hand, I think it's good, Soda is not a necessary item like, I don't know, water... and it would be a good tax income as MC said.. although I don't think it'll make Americans thinner just because soda is a couple cents more expensive.. I don't think it'll stop gas stations from selling their 10000000oz cups for 90 cents, and people from buying it

when in doubt between a soda and water, have a beer..

[HYENA 4]

we're taxed too much...damn country!

[pedroh 21]

That is the problem with people like you Pedroh, tax everyone else but yourself, well why don't we tax your income more instead of taxing soda? I think that would be a fair levy of a tax.

nice one zqt, couldn't wait to make your 'smart comment'...

on the other hand, that is the most communist thing I've ever heard in my life, obviously Obama suggested that from his evil Obamacave with his evil council..

on the other hand, I think it's good, Soda is not a necessary item like, I don't know, water... and it would be a good tax income as MC said.. although I don't think it'll make Americans thinner just because soda is a couple cents more expensive.. I don't think it'll stop gas stations from selling their 10000000oz cups for 90 cents, and people from buying it

when in doubt between a soda and water, have a beer..

eh.. I drink soda.. I would also pay the soda tax... did I say "Pedroh should get a tax break on soda because he's awesome?".. nope..

btw.. let the VJ community decide, if I should get a Tax break on soda

Edited October 5, 2009 by pedroh

[Peikko 1,575]

I am sure his income is taxed already, as is mine.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Watermelons are a not a health risk and in fact are an excellent source of vitamin c so I can't see any reason to tax it, or any other fruit or vegetable for that matter.

Not sure what you mean by taxing BBQ - the sauce? I don't have a problem with taxing BBQ sauce either, but it's not a very neat category to apply taxes to. What is or isn't a BBQ sauce? It's very easy to identify what is and isn't soda for tax purposes.

They're loaded with sugar too. Just because it's in a fruit doesn't mean it's automatically healthy.

It's about moderation!!

[Jenn! 918]

It would be more efficient to just make people pay an obesity tax annually. Make everyone go to a government doctor and get weighed, etc. Then your obesity tax can be determined and you can pay a lump sum along with your income tax return.

btw, is diet soda taxed? How about club soda? What about ginger ale if used to help soothe a bellyache?

Edited October 5, 2009 by Jenn!

[Twisted K 2]

i don't know about making people thinner by taxing soda. heavier taxes on cigarettes have not stopped the majority of people from smoking. all in all, if people want to do something, they will find the means necessary to get it.

[zqt3344 21]

I think there should be an internet usage tax on you. That would work well I can only think how much revenue that would generate for the federal government!

I am sure his income is taxed already, as is mine.

And pay a religion tax for everyone.

It would be more efficient to just make people pay an obesity tax annually. Make everyone go to a government doctor and get weighed, etc. Then your obesity tax can be determined and you can pay a lump sum along with your income tax return.

btw, is diet soda taxed? How about club soda? What about ginger ale if used to help soothe a bellyache?

[pedroh 21]

let's decided if I should pay a Soda Tax or not

Should El Presidente pay a Soda Tax?