To tax or not to tax, part 3: Voices opposing a soda tax
The last segment of our series devoted to the idea of taxing soft drinks and other sugary beverages looked at individuals and organizations who are in favor of a soda tax. This time around, we’ll turn to those who oppose such measures.
Who’s against it, and why
Special Report: Soda Taxes
Part 1: The case against sugary drinks
Part 2: Who’s in favor of a soda tax?
Part 3: Who’s against the tax?
Part 4: The financial and health upsides of a soda tax
Part 5: Whether a soda tax can or should be done
For starters, most of those persons and groups that are anti-tax in general, from Chambers of Commerce to fiscal conservatives to smaller government proponents, don’t want to see a tax on soft drinks. But primarily, opposition comes from the American Beverage Association, which represents Coke, Pepsi and the other major players.
The ABA’s position is that the soda tax wouldn’t affect public health, would fall most heavily on persons of low or moderate income and wouldn’t reduce consumption anyway.
The last claim is dubious at best, because if the beverage industry felt that the tax posed no threat to consumption, the ABA would have no reason to oppose it. Instead, the soda industry is pleading its case on an anti-tax website, and is already running TV commercials in which a mom, returning with her kids from the supermarket, notes irately that, “Those pennies add up when we’re trying to feed our families.”
Which raises the point about financially burdening middle class families. That would not be the result if the families switched to diet versions of their current beverage, which would not be taxed, and which, if a tax actually went into effect, the beverage industry would begin producing and marketing with great zeal and enthusiasm. And profits.
Next up: The financial and health upsides of a soda tax
(By Robert S. Wieder for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News)
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Related posts from the CalorieLab Calorie Counter News archives:
- To tax or not to tax, part 4: The financial and health upsides of a soda tax
- To tax or not to tax, part 5: Whether a soda tax can, or should, be done
- To tax or not to tax, part 1: Soda numbers say we’re drinking ourselves fat
- Lab Notes: Diet Soda May Be Exempt from Proposed Tax
- To tax or not to tax, part 2: A look at those who support a soda tax
As a Registered Dietitian and consultant to the food and beverage industry, I see how obesity adversely affects health every day. However, there are much more effective ways to combat our nation’s obesity epidemic than imposing a “sin” tax on soda. Obesity is a complex issue that requires a collaborative solution, not blaming one food or beverage as the sole culprit. For weight loss, I advocate a healthy diet—which includes a variety of foods and beverages in healthy portions—and regular physical activity. There are no “bad” foods, and individuals need not eliminate favorite foods or beverages, just consume them in moderation. Yesterday’s New York Times published a piece about why the simple tax of 1 cent per ounce (proposed by some policymakers) will not effectively curb obesity. The article is found at: HTTP://WWW.NYTIMES.COM/2009/10/08/US/08IHT-LETTER.HTML?PAGEWANTED=1. Education—not threats—will help individuals make healthy lifestyle choices.