by John Neeb

Created on: September 23, 2009

"Soda Tax" Proposed, but Will it Work?

The American public has seen obesity rates skyrocket and many health experts agree that sugar-laden drinks, like soda pop, have been a contributing factor to this situation. To remedy this alarming state of affairs, a controversial tax proposal has been issued by various leaders in the fields of nutrition and economics.

Between 1998 and 2006, obesity has risen 37%, according to a recent study published in Health Affairs. This has resulted in an 89% increase in spending to combat the diseases associated with unhealthy body weight.

The rising rate of obesity has clearly become a burden on the national healthcare system, and studies have consistently displayed a distinct correlation between sugar and weight gain. Whereas sugar itself does not technically contain fat, it will metabolize in the human body as such if not burned by exercise, or other vigorous activity.

If sugar hadn't already received enough of a bad rap, the American Heart Association has recently come out with a recommendation for Americans to drastically cut back on the amount of daily sugar consumption.

According to the association's report, too much sugar leads to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. A potential link is also being generated between obesity, which is aided by sugar consumption, and some forms of cancer.

To combat this national problem, nutrition and economic pundits are proposing the implementation of a federal tax on sugary beverages, a major source of sugar for the average American. The figure most frequently thrown around in conversations regarding this subject is "one cent per ounce."

The theory behind this proposal is the extra cost will help deter consumers from choosing beverages which are high in sugar. During the time of this current recession, many Americans are becoming more budget-conscious and perhaps the tax would help.

Kelly Brownell, director of Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, estimates $15 billion could be generated from a one cent per ounce tax. This figure assumes no decrease in the amount of sugary beverages consumed by the American public.

A statement by the American Beverage Association, though, claims that the solution put forth by these researchers simply won't work. The association does concede the fact that obesity is a serious public health issue, but they are inclined to place the onus on personal responsibility and shift it away from the products they produce.

Parents, and children, on-the-go are often faced with choosing fast food while running from activity to activity. The food at such restaurant chains tends to veer towards the salty side of the spectrum and it is rather unrealistic to expect consumers not to want a beverage with their meals.

Fast food chains realize this and offer drinks flavored with sugary syrups, which are inexpensive to the corporations. These restaurants achieve high profit margins, while their customers are put at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Critics contend that raising taxes on sugary beverages will not decrease the amount consumed by the American public. The fact cannot be ignored, however, that even if it does not stop people from drinking too much sugar, it will at least provide a source of additional revenue to help pay for the health care necessitated by the problem.

Maybe a federal tax will deter consumers from drinking sugar-infused beverages. Maybe not. The worst case is the tax becomes implemented, people continue to drink soda, and the government hauls in billions of dollars to help with the cost of health care. As such, this is an option which definitely merits further research.

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