Federal Soda Tax Weighed
source: http://www.livescience.com/health/090512-soda-tax.html
-
-
- ClipsFC
- added this
A study last month found that liquid calorie intake — specifically sugar-sweetened beverages — had a stronger impact on weight than solid calorie intake. A study in the journal Pediatrics in 2006 showed a direct correlation between weight gain in teenagers and the consumption of soda and other sugary drinks. Many other studies make similar links.
Meanwhile, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, an increasingly common and incredibly expensive disease to treat.
Research reported at national meeting of the American Chemical Society in 2007 found that soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup may contribute to the development of diabetes, particularly in children.
Lawmakers may soon ponder the possibility of a federal excise tax on soda and other sugar-laden drinks (did you know VitaminWater has nearly as many calories and grams of sugar as regular Coke?) to help pay for President Obama's new health care plan, according to the Wall Street Journal. The proposal will come from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington-based group that pressures and lobbies for healthier products.
Excise taxes are levied on products and manufacturers. They are usually passed on to the consumer.
The thinking, in part, is that, as with smoking, those who sell soda and those who consume soda ought to help pay for the cost of health care associated with the product.
Research in 2004 showed how soft drink consumption rose in the United States along with obesity (likely as other aspects of diet eroded, it should be noted). Energy intake from such drinks in the United States increased 135 percent between about 1977 and 2001. Over the same span, energy intake from milk dropped 38 percent. The findings were detailed in the American Journal of Preventive Health.
-
-
asherp
-
DO IT!
TAX HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP AND USE THAT REVENUE TO PAY FOR SINGLE PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE WITHOUT CUTTING ANYTHING.
YES THAT WAS IN ALL CAPS ON PURPOSE!
I AM FEELING THIS TEXT SO EMPHATICALLY!
- 3 years ago
-
asherp
-
-
Ya_Yletayo
-
This seems like a fantastic idea. Sometimes professionals do know whats better for you however it doesnt take a professional to see why universal health care would be better than soda. in addition, sacrificing soda for health care would make that healthcare system less strained and therefore less costly to boot.
- 3 years ago
-
Ya_Yletayo
-
-
JohnA
-
I'm sure they're considering a tax on almost everything at this point. And they'll do it all by telling you they know better than you what you should do in your life. You like cigarettes, they'll tax them, cokes, tax them, next red meat, it's bad, better tax it, where does it end?
- 3 years ago
-
JohnA
-
-
NuclearLullaby
-
I don't drink soda very often ! Maybe once or twice a year! But a tax on soda? That's about as dumb as Twitter!!! If the US population were a bit smarter,Ate better,banned twitter,& took 30 minutes a day for exercise they might start losing some weight! Americans are lazy & stupid when compared with other parts of the world! We should do more to stop stupidity in America before dealing with a few hippos! The American lifestyle is why so many people are fat! Yeah food & drink are to blame,but taxing items will only anger people & solve absolutely nothing! Anger can also lead to weight gain.so a tax would make things worse in more ways then one! Ergo I believe that the best way to do things is just get people to wise up a bit!
- 3 years ago
-
NuclearLullaby
-
-
cybexg
-
NuclearLullaby:
study after study indicates a direct relation to smoking and the tax on smoking. There is no indication to believe soda and a tax on soda will behave differently.
- 3 years ago
-
cybexg
