Is soda the new tobacco? That is what I was wondering after I read Mark Bittman’s op-ed piece (Bad Food? Tax It) in yesterday’s New York Times. In his article (which I tweeted several times) Bittman suggested taxing soda and subsidizing vegetables. Not such a bad idea, right?
Wait a minute. There will be loads of people who vehemently object to Bittman’s proposed soda tax. Why? They will claim that we are creating a nanny state. They will argue that the process of determining which foods are healthy and which are not is too complicated and subjective. Bittman however, has sound comebacks for each argument that the critics throw his way.
Bittman’s points are compelling, here are just a couple:
- because of subsidies to industrial agriculture fruit is more expensive than Froot Loops
- one-third of Americans either have diabetes or are pre-diabetic
- a sane diet could save billions of dollars in health care costs
Bittman has plenty of solutions for the spiraling healthcare costs associated with the Standard American Diet (SAD). He talks about spending revenues from a soda tax on local gyms and to pollinate food deserts. He also notes that for the first time in our history, “lifestyle” (preventable) diseases, will kill more people than communicable ones.”
Finally, Bittman drives his point home when discussing the historic ramifications of the implementation of the tobacco tax, noting that since its institution just over three decades ago, smoking has declined by more than half.
What are your thoughts on the soda tax? Leave a comment and let’s discuss this controversial issue.
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Diana says
He does make compelling arguments I agree. However I still say NO WAY! It is not the governments job to mandate these things, tax them, and continually argue over how to spend it. And even if it is designated to be positive spending we know that is not what they do with all of it!
My next thought is the fact that people on food stamps and public assistance, who do not pay taxes on their food, would go right on buying the SAD food. Which would go right on contributing to the expenses we are trying to change, and we’re paying for that too!
Patti says
I like this soda-tax idea. Of course, we could just quit subsidizing cropsand alll agricultural products (especially corn that gets made into high fructose syrup) and then we might have a better idea and easier choice about good food.