Soda Tax May Not be the Answer

Posted on April 1, 2010

On soda taxes:

“Small taxes will not prevent obesity.”

– Roland Sturn, senior economist and lead author of study

“Taxes have to be large enough to affect consumption.”

– Kelly Brownell, director of Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity

A study found that taxing sugary drinks may not be the answer to the obesity problem. I don’t think that’s a breaking news flash.

The bottom line is, if people want a soda, they will buy a soda. If the tax is an extra $.30 (hypothetical number), do you think people care? Sure, at least taxing soda will help bring in a little cashmoney to the government, but it is not a solution for this nation’s health problems.

I don’t know what is. I think somehow helping people understand why they shouldn’t drink 6 cans of Coke a day might be a good start though. How to do that? No idea.

It’s hard for healthy eating/drinking campaigns to compete with the billions spent on advertising for the unhealthy stuff.

Comments

http://www.fakefoodfree.com Lori

This is all such an interesting topic. I just wish we could get rid of soda drinking period then there wouldn’t be a need to discuss a tax. :) I know, dream world.

Best wishes for your half and thanks for the congrats!