A Controversial Policy: Higher Taxes on Soft Drinks
The New England Journal of Medicine reported that the average American consumes nearly three times as many high-sugar soft drinks as he or she did a few decades ago. Half of teenage boys drink more than two six-packs of soft drinks every week. U.S. children, aged 6 to 19, are three times as likely to be overweight as they were in 1970 (Oberlander). Some people think that the soft drinks and junk food are more easily to case fat, and they also think that tax higher on soft drink can to reduce the obesity. It is one commonly heard proposition, but will taxing soft drinks really reduce the obesity rate? Most people do not think so, according to a new poll out today from Rasmussen, only 34 percent of Americans--one out of three respondents--think that taxing sugared soda is a good idea (Rasmussen).
Along with President Barack Obama’s proposed health-care reform initiative, higher taxes on soft drinks also have become a popular issue and it is not the first time. Some states already have some sort of tax on high-sugar products. For example, Virginia and Washington D.C. both have taxes on their sodas and junk foods. The Democrats and Republicans also have two opposite position for it. Like the Democrats say, a higher tax on soft drinks will help pay for the health-care reform, and that makes sure all Americans have access to doctors and slows health-care cost growth. The poorer people will benefit the most from this reform because the tax will help them pay for health coverage (Marr). Instead, the Republicans think that the health-care reform plan costs too much money and this tax will affect low-income people more than higher income households. Consumption of soda is highest in lower socioeconomic homes and minority groups.
Some people think if we increase the taxes, just like we do on the tobacco, the consumption of soft drinks and junk foods will be reduced, and the obesity rate also. A doctor who works for...