An article in the September 17th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine proposes that a national “soda tax” of 1 cent per ounce of soda and other sugar-laden drinks could curb the United State’s obesity epidemic while generating funds to promote obesity prevention programs. While this tax strategy has reduced cigarette and alcohol use, will it would work with food? That remains to be seen. “There are certain products which make a strong contribution to the obesity epidemic while, conversely, there is no plausible public health benefit [from them],” noted Dr. David Ludwig, senior author of the paper and associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Opponents of such an idea say that singling out a specific food type sends the wrong public health message. Rather, they say, the government should promote proper nutrition education. Would a heftier price stem your appetite for soda? [via BusinessWeek]
Share your comments here.
Tags: obesity, pop, Public Health, soda, soft drink, sugar, tax
Follow us on Twitter
Become a fan on Facebook
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
September 30th, 2009 at 5:14 am
yes tax sodas
September 30th, 2009 at 5:43 am
THE ONLY AT HEADS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE THE COMMUNIST , LEFTWING, B ASTARDS IN PUBLICE OFFICE, IN ALL STATE LEGISLATURES AND THE STINKING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE ONLY CURE FOR THOSE FAT HEADED BASTARDS IS TERM LIMITS, AND OUSTER. THOSE SONS-OF-BITCHES HAVE BEEN LIVING OFF THE FAT OF THE LAND FOR CENTURIES, IT IS TIME WE GET RID OF THEM ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
September 30th, 2009 at 6:21 am
No! Tax the cola companies. We pay tax when we buy it. Tax the wrong doings of government, such as trips for pizza in Chicago using tax payers money to fly on jets. All of this is just ‘So Wrong!’ Sometimes I feel as if our government is against ‘Real Americans.’ We are losing our rights, freedom and voice. America was founded on the Bible and God. They don’t want ‘God’ in anything, but when they face tragic times (911) that’s the first name they call upon. I believe in Christ everyday, not only when I need a favor to help me in times of trouble. I pray for them and America. Mr. President, please, be on our side. God Bless all of us, open our eyes before it’s too late. Maybe it is now.
September 30th, 2009 at 6:46 am
And, after soda what’s next. Well let’s see; how about bread, candy (chocolate), hamburger and hotdog buns, noodles, white rice, orange juice (processed of course), Kool Aid, potatoes (any form), homogonized milk (which by-the-way contains suger), and any other carbohydrate which contributes to obesity and diabetes. While we’re at it may as well tax all foodstuff containing fructose especially if it’s high fructose corn syrup.
As long as we are going to turn over the reigns of our lives to the government and avoid any responsibility for our personal wellbeing, we must also be willing to following all dictates of our elites leaders. After all, congress has relnquished its responsibilities to government agencies like the USDA, FDA, EPA, and Federal Reserve bank which have demonstrated their expertise of controling our lives.
USDA is packed with representtive of the Agri-business, FDA has a drug approval board which is made half of representatives from the pharmaceuticle industry, and the federal reserve board is nothing more than commercial, International bankers whose interest is their own wellbeing.
While we’re at it, we may as well let government control all other aspects of our lives; let them dictate how often we can engage in sex, who we can marry, and how many children we can have. When we have too many children which changes our diversity population, we simply submit to state controlled abortions without regards to our beliefs.
Tax everything and remove any self responsibilities.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:08 am
And, after soda what’s next. Well let’s see; how about bread, candy (chocolate), hamburger and hotdog buns, noodles, white rice, orange juice (processed of course), Kool Aid, potatoes (any form), homogenized milk (which by-the-way contains suger), and any other carbohydrate which contributes to obesity and diabetes. While we’re at it may as well tax all foodstuff containing fructose especially if it’s high fructose corn syrup.
As long as we are going to turn over the reigns of our lives to the government and avoid any responsibility for our personal wellbeing, we must also be willing to following all dictates of our elites leaders. After all, congress has relnquished its responsibilities to government agencies like the USDA, FDA, EPA, and Federal Reserve bank which have demonstrated their expertise of controling our lives.
USDA is packed with representtive of the Agri-business, FDA has a drug approval board which is made half of representatives from the pharmaceuticle industry, and the federal reserve board is nothing more than commercial, International bankers whose interest is their own wellbeing.
While we’re at it, we may as well let government control all other aspects of our lives; let them dictate how often we can engage in sex, who we can marry, and how many children we can have. When we have too many children which changes our diversity population, we simply submit to state controlled abortions without regards to our beliefs.
Tax everything and remove any self responsibilities.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:27 am
is that all we can do-tax, tax, tax. It can get worse-every day I open my email, check out the news, and there’s no help for anyone who isn’t freaking rich. I thought we were going to go into the direction of letting everybody catch a break. This sucks.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:40 am
I would support anything to get all this garbage off the shelf but the government is always looking for a tax grab and doesn’t have the guts to legislate to companies. The government should be more proactive in getting companies to remove all unhealthy ingredients (chemicals, pesticides, herbicides) etc. out of our foods, water and air. This is what is killing everyone. Health care would be substantially reduced and we would have a much healthier, happier society. Forget about taxing. Legislate to all companies – NO MORE GARBAGE IN OUR ENVIRONMENT!
September 30th, 2009 at 7:49 am
No, i would not support a soda tax.I think people should be able to make their own choices what they eat and drink.If the people make the choice to drink sodas,then they should not be punished for their choice.I will not stopdrinking sodas just because the government wants to take my hard earned money.I thought we were a free country,to be able to choose for ourselves.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:55 am
No, such a tax would not curb my soda use, though it would contribute an even greater hatred for the “moral minority” which has such a strong affection to determine what I do. Higher tax hasn’t stopped my smoking – nor has the emphasema I have from it. My main rule is that you can’t take life seriously as you will never get out of it alive, just sit around here longer paying a greedy government more tax dollars. Come on, who really wants to live forever?
September 30th, 2009 at 8:18 am
No more tax on anything.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I say we tax everything our elected oficials own and leave the common man alone. Apply a double tax on their pay alone, it seem’s to be the only thing that never takes a hit during the hard times that they themselves create.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:06 am
obama is going to take the pleasure out of life one way or the other.Most fat people are not because of soda.Many foods and theire bodys mal fuction .How does he intend to handle the soda problem , with national health plan.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Every tax is an attack on our personal and God-given freedoms. No longer is America the “Land of the Free” but rather the land of the taxed and over-regulated.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:32 am
I’m totally shocked that there were ANY yes responses to this question. What are people thinking? Short answer is, they’re not. Tax sugar. Then what? Outlaw bacon? How about banning certain sexual positions so I don’t throw out my back? Pretty soon we’ll be taxed for daring to think for ourselves, since big brother obviously thinks we can’t, so that should be taxed too! How about as citezens we start getting a tax break on everything big government has already allowed to flourish that has deteriorated our health to what it is today? The USDA and FDA comes to mind. If big brother was truly worried about the health and welfare of Americans they wouldn’t allow things like high fructose corn syrup, MSG and trans fats in our foods so that big business can make RECORD BREAKING PROFITS. And pharmaceutical companies? Don’t even get me started. When it’s more profitable for them to pay out law suit after law suit than to conscientiously test the latest new drug before turning them loose on the public, well that should tell you something. How do you think they pay for inundating us with all those commercials telling us what drugs we need to be asking our doctor about. Americans need to stop being the proverbial lemmings who go along with everthing they’re told only to find themselves falling off a cliff.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Where were all you people when they started tobacco tax and passing smoking bans? Now they’re goring your ox, how does it feel?
September 30th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I am Doctor No., so count my vote as “No!”
one gram of sugar is but 4 calories, out of 2000 calories we must have consume daily.
So, why don’t we just tax every calories we consume (or, aren’t we doing most of that already?!)
Then, on the thirsty days, what benefit do we get with the bottle of water for the hydration, to prevent heat stroke, dehydration…
For the one cent tax, we will sent a lot of elderly to the hospital who, the only pleasure they can afford is a soft drink now and then to quanch the thirst, to feed the inner natural neccesity. To tip the balance of ‘don’t buy it’ because of the one cent tax, we will be spending thousands to care for the resultant heat stroke, dehydration and stroke in the ED, and hospitals.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:19 am
ANN #7 What did the Federal & State government do for smokes? Everyone knows they kill and cause all type of problems. Have they did anything except sue the tobacco people, take the money settlement money ( which did not mean the tobacco people were admitting any wrong doing) and that the average person could not sue. Now the government states we need health care reform and most of the elders that have smoke related poroblems face a cut in medical. WE PAID INTO THAT SYSTEM and those that were just laid off and those that still work continue to pay..Obimbo states we need to save money–right now…then why not give the balance of the TARP money back to the American people? I am sure that no one cares why pigs smell or that mouse the Polushi loves. Obimbo states we need cap and trade to run our energy bills up while not doing one dam thing for stop global warming. Obimbo states that with the warming we will not be able to grow food as the land will be to dry—-Look at California–the government shut off the flow of water to protect a minnow and thousands of farmers lost a living and are out of a job not to mention the food that went to waste. Now we have children taught about gays and singing praises to Obimbo…May he rot in hell!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I VOTE NO
Okay cola taxes is that on all soft drinks or just the ones with sugar so if you drink diet colas it okay, you will not pay tax. Oh yes there is the whole juice world they forgot AND chocolate, do they really want to open this can of beans without a bottom???????Oh, no, I forgot the bakery, please get real.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:00 am
YES I WOULD SUPPORT A TAX ON COLA, AND ANY COLA REGARDLESS OF
WHAT IT HAS SUGAR IN IT OR NOT. SUGAR FREE AND SUGAR COLA IS NOT
GOOD FOR ANY ONE FRANKLIN D. TURNEY, M-DIV/PSY
September 30th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Ken is right about the tobacco tax. I don’t smoke and never have, yet I still don’t think there should ever have been a special tax for it. I also feel if all the additives tobacco companies are allowed to add to cigarettes are so toxic, they shouldn’t be allowed to be put in there. Instead they’re allowed to make them more addictive so smokers are willing to pay that tax. Is that how big brother will take care of us when a sugar tax is imposed???
September 30th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Let’s get real folks, the problem is our government is trashing the Constitution right before our eyes. They pick something, have a lobbyist lawyer write legislation to his/her specification and then for a price, submit it for passage as a new law and taxation.
The process is Villinize, Demogogue, Tax, and reap government and lobbyist profits.
For all you people that believe organizations like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association are charitble organizations look at the problems they have with research integrity and how much of their proceeds go for actual research. Since President Nixon’s declaration of war on cancer, virtually Billions of dollars has went to cancer research. To this day, the society has not identified the real causes of cancer. Billions of dollars has went into research on cardio vascular causes of disease. The scientist still don’t agree as to what the true cause of heart disease is. Opinions are like anal exits, every scientist has one.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Yes I will support a soda tax,if that will help keep our children slim trim,and healthier.
September 30th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I agree with Ken 123, and Dr. No. I am diabetic and I drink Diet Coke. Taxing soda
would be a hardship for me, not to mention it would be taking away something I enjoy so much. I know they are talking about regular soda but I know it won’t end there. What tic’s me off at the supermarket is the ridiculous high cost of anything healthy.
Fruit and vegetables, and everything dietary just to name a few. If the government wants to help the people why not turn things around and make it affordable to purchase healthy food. I wish people would complain about that, then maybe adults and children could make healthier choices and beable to afford them.
September 30th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
NO! NO! NO!
Taxing pop is NOT a good idea!
Thanks for listening!
September 30th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
No tax on soda to the public . Tax the people who make products that harm us. Some people do not know how to take care of themselves. Lets be helpful. Taxing smokes and alcohol did not work. WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WILL DO FOR SODA.DUD??? Lets think about our healh,not how sick we can be if we do not take care of each other. Some people do not get concerned,until lt ls too late.THE GOVERMENT CAN NOT DO THAT FOR YOU,DO WISE UP. I wish you wellness,get going!!!
September 30th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
If the public want soda and its a bad habit! they will drink soda regardless! Taxing something that is a bad habit or unhealthy is exploitation! Let the rich be burden with taxation and not the poor! The public already pays tax on everything we use — from toilet paper to toothpaste! What is it we dont pay tax on??? our government should be wiser in spending our tax dollars! But they, or course dont have budget! Just do another tax hike! and that shoudl solve the problem? I call it legal exploitation!!! to tax, and tax and tax!!!
September 30th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Substitute cola for smoking while you read this:
http://www.tobaccocontrolintegrity.com/
September 30th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Wow. Tax everything that isn’t “good” for us. Tax our TV’s, TIVO’s, recliner chairs, hair spray, chocolate, sugary cereals…don’t forget the Pop Tarts… tax our high heeled shoes, tax frozen dinners, tax boxed macaroni and cheese, and what about cheese??? Definitely…tax the cheese. Oh, computers!!!! Probably one of the biggest factors of obesity…tax the computers hard and heavy. That’ll fix us. For sure. And don’t forget our comfy computer chairs…that keep us here, typing away on the internet! Better tax our cell phones in case it turns out they really do cause brain cancer. That should be a really high tax…just in case.
My vote – NO. How silly.
Oh, better tax roller blades and trampolines…kids get hurt on those things, you know…
September 30th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
No, It all has to do with money. I don’t personally think that sugary drinks are good for us but, for the goverment to lean people towards drinking diet drinks instead containing aspartame amoung other chemicals which are causing a tremendous amount of health problems these days. They’ll allow companies to fill food products with hazardous chemicals but, want to control sugar. Like I said it’s all about the money.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I don’t see how a soda tax can solve a complex problem such as the obesity epidemic in this country.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
The best obtion is to Educate citizens on healthy eating Habits to improve on overall health status. Taxing sadas alone cant do much help.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:00 am
Gents: “NO”!!! It’s NOT the i cent,it’s the “slippery slope” syndrome.– I DO “NOT” WANT A NURSEMAID FOR A GOVERNMENT,BUT JUST WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS.–ONE THAT DOES WHAT WE,THE PEOPLE,IN MAJORITY WANT.–”REMEMBER”–BEFORE WE HAD LAWS FOR THE CRIMINAL–IS IT CRIMINAL TO HAVE A SODA? SOOO,LET US KEEP THE TAXED WITH OTHER THAN FOOD,AND FOOD “STUFF”,EVEN ALCOHOL,IF PRESCRIBED BY A “DOCTOR”,”not” A “POLITICIAN. SHOULD WE TAX MORE “ALL” THE REST.THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THE DIATICIAN. — W/Much Care,roger collette,regis.,active voter
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:19 am
NO, I love my DIET soda. I am at my right weight. I think obesity comes from within. I have seen them at fast food places, etc. It is their choice. Tax their insurance or health care for not following the program. WHY SHOULD EVEYONE ELSE PAY MORE TAXES TO MAKE UP FOR THE GOVERNMENTS LOSES AND MISTAKES. IT’s TOTAL B.S.
SEND ALL THE ILLEGALS BACK AND THERE WILL BE MORE MONEY FOR OUR PEOPLE.
The President needs a BACKBONE!!!!
WE are not a free country anymore!!!
October 4th, 2009 at 9:17 am
TAX THE COMPANIES MAKING THIS CRAP AND IF THEY CHOOSE TO PUT THIS TAX ON THE BUYER THEN SO BE IT! MAKE THEM PAY FOR PUTTING OUT BAD STUFF AND MAYBE THEY WILL MAKE CHOICES TO PUT BETTER INGREDIENTS IN THEIR STUFF. IT COULD BE EASY ENOUGH IF THE GOVERNMENT CATAGORIZED BAD INGREDIENTS AND USED THAT TO JUDGE BY THE PRODUCT INGREDIENTS. THEY KNOW WHAT IS KILLING US, THEY ARE JUST AFRAID TO SAY IT AS FAR AS i AM CONCERNED.. I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BUY WHAT EVER I WANT BUT WITH BETTER LABELING OR WARNINGS. USE A SIMPLE NUMBERING SYSTEM ON THE FRONT OF THE PRODUCT LABELS,,,, HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN SAYING THIS? TOO LONG AND NO ONE IS LISTENING.
October 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
YOU CAN’T TAX THE HEALTH INSURANCE,,, SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT OBESE BECAUSE OF SODA OR ANY BAD FOODS FOR THAT MATTER. IT IS PROVEN THAT SOME GENITICS AND OTHER FACTORS ARE PARTLY AT FAULT TOO. JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE SKINNY DONT GIVE YOU AN EXTRA LICENCE TO DO A BAD FOOD CHOICE WHEN AN OVER WEIGHT PERSON SHOULD BE PENALIZED AS IF THEY DID IT. YOU MAY LAUGH NOW BUT WAIT TILL YER DAYS ARE FINISHED AND TELL ME YOU STAYED IN PROPER WIEGHT LEVELS ALL YOUR LIFE, THINGS CHANGE. I KNOW MANY SKINNY PEOPLE WHO EAT NOTHING BUT CHIPS AND POP AND YET IT JUST GOES TO THE LITTLE HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF LEG AS IF IT NEVER HAPPENED. IT IS NOT FAIR TO LOOK AT PEOPLE AND JUDGE BY THEIR BODY’S NON-ABILITY TO PROCESS, MAYBE YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT TO TAX, HMMMMMMM? GRAB A HEART AND LOOK AT THE REAL OPTIONS THE GOVERNMENT HAS YET TO DISCOVER.
October 4th, 2009 at 10:33 am
WHAT IS THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN POP THAT HURTS US WHETHER IT IS DIET OR REGULAR???? TAX ANY COMPANY USING THAT INGREDIENT IN ANY FOOD PROCESSED FOR CONSUMPTION. TAX A COMPANY FOR USING MORE SUGAR THEN THE DAILY ALLOWANCE IN ONE MEAL A SINGLE PRODUCT. WE ARE GETTING HURT WHEN A PRODUCT HAS MORE THEN SHOULD BE ADDED FOR FLAVOUR ATTRACTION. WE GET HURT WHEN CHEMICALS ARE ADDED TO STABALIZE AND ADD SHELF LIFE THAT ARE NOT PROVEN GOOD FOR CONSUMPTION. I WANT REALLY BAD TO LAUGH WHEN A SKINNY PERSON GETS CANCER BECAUSE OF THE FOODS THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH JUST BECAUSE THEY STAYED SKINNY BUT I CAN’T COS IT IS JUST TOO SAD OF A STORY FOR ANYONE FAT OR SKINNY TO EVEN TRY, LETS ALL GET TOGETHER ON THIS, WE ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM ANYTHING HERE JUST BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SHOW RIGHT AWAY, YOU ARE ALL AT RISK FOR SOMETHING WHEN IT COMES TO CHEMICALS AND SUGARS AND NOW MORE THEN EVER IT IS ESTIMATED THAT DIABETES IS GONNA TAKE MOST OF YOU BEFORE YOU DIE NO MATTER HOW SKINNY YOU MIGHT LOOK. NOT ONLY THAT BUT LOOK AT HOW YOUR HABITS CAN CAUSE YOUR KIDS TO HAVE COMPLICATIONS, LETS SAY YOU ARE SKINNY AND YOUR KIDS SEE YOU EAT BAD STUFF, YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO DO BETTER AND AVOID THE ALMOST INEVIDABLE DIABETIC RISK? SKINNY DONT MEAN NOTHING, ITS WHAT THE COMPANIES ARE FEEDING YOU WITHOUT BEING UPFRONT ABOUT WHAT THEY PUT IN IT, ANYONE HEAR ME YET?
October 4th, 2009 at 11:04 am
SO HERE IS THE PLAN, TAX THE COMPANY PROCESSING THE BAD INGREDIENT, THEN TAX THE NEXT COMPANY PURCHASING IT FOR THEIR PRODUCT INGREDIENTS. MAKE THE TAX HIGH ENOUGH THAT THE COMPANY WILL PUT IT’S LABS TO PROPER USE LOOKING FOR INGREDIENTS THAT ARE GOOD FOR CONSUMPTION. MAKE THEM PUT THAT BAD INGREDIENTS NAME ON THE FRONT OF THE LABEL (OH WHAT A HUGE COST THAT WILL BE) THEN START LOOKING AT THE INGREDIENTS ADDED TO CIGARRETTES AND WHO REGULATES THIS STUFF AND CHARGE THEM FOR IT, OH THAT WOULD BE PART FAULT OF THE GOVERNMENT WOULDNT IT? I SAY WE TAKE A HUGE LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO THE PUBLIC AND WHY, IN ALL CATAGORIES, NOT JUST POP BECAUSE POP IS NOT THE PROBLEM, IT IS ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE REALLY BAD BIG PICTURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO MAKE THEMSELVES LOOK GOOD IN BY TRYING TO ADD YET ANOTHER BIT OF STUFFING FOR THEIR OWN POCKETS. MAYBE WE NEED A GOVERNMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT CREATED BY THE REGULAR PEOPLE WHO WOULD LOOK AT THE STEPS TAKEN AND DECIDE IF IT IS WRONG OR EVEN ENOUGH TO MAKE THE PROBLEM GO AWAY. TAXES ON THE PEOPLE ARE NOT THE ANSWER IT IS JUST A WAY TO MAKE THE RICH RICHER AND POOR A LITTLE POORER. IS IT NOT HARD ENOUGH TO RAISE KIDS IN THIS OVER TAXED WORLD WE HAVE OR SHOULD WE TRY TO TAKE THE LITTLE PEOPLE ALL THE WAY DOWN. YOU KNOW THE BIG GUYS ARE STILL GONNA BUY A POP NOW AND THEN, DONT EVEN TRY TO TELL ME GOVERNMENT PEOPLE DO NOT DRINK POP,,,,,,,,,,,,
OK i AM DONE NOW, MY RUFFLED FEATHERS HAVE SETTLED DOWN BUT NOT FOR LONG.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Tax them.
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I’ve been included in taxes for longer then I care to acknowledge, both on the individual side (all my employed life!!) and from a legal stand since satisfying the bar and following up on tax law. I’ve put up a lot of advice and corrected a lot of wrongs, and I must say that what you’ve posted makes perfect sense. Please uphold the good work – the more individuals know the better they’ll be equipped to deal with the tax man, and that’s what it’s all about.