Should Soft Drinks Be Taxed?

There has been much talk lately about taxing sugary drinks to help pay costs in our healthcare system. Many people are against this tax along with the beverage companies it would harm obviously but this tax could become a reality in the near future. The bigger question is if America will be ready to pay extra for their favorite soft drinks. Or will everyone just turn to other unhealthy items instead?

Anything from cola, to tea, Capri Sun, to beverages athletes use a lot including Gatorade. According to the Wall Street Journal website, this tax is just one of hundreds of ideas the Government is throwing out to bring in money for the healthcare system. But will this tax really help that much or just cause a big drop in sales for these soft drinks? I think there will be a decrease in sales for sure, and Americans will still turn to other unhealthy products. Taxing soft drinks just isn't the answer.

I do not agree with the idea of this tax because of the fact that higher prices will not teach people to live healthier necessarily. This tax will just make soda and other soft drinks outrageous to buy. Even with higher prices people are still going to buy them. What if this leads to the Government putting more outrageous taxes on items they feel are unhealthy for the population? What's to stop them from just stepping in and controlling what we consume and how much? Some of these proposed taxes on soft drinks, even alcohol and candy are raising concern over the Government starting a new trend of saying what we can and cannot have.

I'm not supporting beverages like soda or other unhealthy soft drinks because I know for a fact they are unhealthy and beverages like soda are nutritionally empty. A complete waste of calories. But taxing soda and forcing people to pay really high prices for it is not the answer. The Government feels this will help Americans make more healthy choices but taxing soft drinks isn't teaching anybody about a healthy lifestyle. Steps like reducing or limiting soft drinks in schools should be brought up more, instead of suggesting taxes on them.

According to an article on the Tartan website, soft drinks like soda aren't even the leading cause of obesity in America. Personally I think it's more about the massive consumption of food like the oversized portions from McDonalds and other restaurants along with a lazy lifestyle. You can cut down people drinking sugary drinks, but what about other items like fast food, chocolate milk, potato chips, cookies, and other junk food? Tax fast food if you are going to tax anything. Even then people still deserve the right to do what they want. And a tax on soft drinks is just a bad idea.

One thing I am for is it would definitely discourage me from buying soft drinks if they were to cost too much. That part of this whole plan would work I think for a lot of people since not many would want to pay more for something they use on a regular basis. I think it would cut consumption somewhat because people won't pay for it but the fact is a lot of America will still consume soft drinks and until people start taking action and controlling themselves, a tax on soft drinks will not help much. Sure it will bring in some money for the Government but as for America getting healthier? Not by much.

I definitely feel it will hurt the sales for companies like Coke and Pepsi and other soft drink manufacturers. It's just sad to me that something like this is being considered. Americans deserve the right choose what they want, and not pay higher prices because the Government feels it isn't right. I support America making better choices, getting physical activity back into kids' lives and schools and just everyone in general and making good eating decisions a daily habit. Not by forcing Americans to choose other alternatives. Although if obesity continues to rise, it just might happen in the future.

Wall Street Journal
Tartan article
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