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.
Jan Moulder says
Instead of taxing individual foods, we need to quit subsidizing the big industrial farms and start subsidizing small local farmers. I’d love to see organic farmers and the grass fed beef industry subsidized!
Stephanie says
I agree with the concept, but think the way to go is to reduce or get rid of subsidies for the big farmers & HFCS. Let the market reflect the real price of these non-food items rather than supporting the market flood of bad choices. This will increase revenue without a “tax.”
As for those who respond with “get the government out of the food business,” be careful what you wish for. Conservative administrations have repeatedly gutted the FDA because it tests conditions at big slaughterhouses and food processors. We need food safety protections!
CJ Bray says
Great Idea! Something has to be done to curb the appetites for the North American diet. It is creating a huge burden on the system which we all have to pay for.
Health education campaigns for the general public would be a good idea as well.
chs says
Getting rid of the agricultural subsidies that are contributing to this problem is the logical first step. Taxing the bads and supporting fresh, healthy foods makes sense.
I’d recommend watching “Food, Inc.,” especially the story of the family where the kids were excited to buy fresh pears at the grocery store, but their parents couldn’t because they were too expensive. Feeding the whole family from the dollar menu at Wendy’s was cheaper (in the short term), even though the father was dying from heart disease and the kids were developing diabetes. Heartbreaking!
Since the government and society wind up bearing the costs of these consumption-related diseases (diabetes, etc.), we all have some skin in the game. That is, if the government bears the cost on the back-end (Medicare, Medicaid), it should have be able to look upstream and support *prevention* of these health problems. Or at least help put the healthy choices on a level playing field, which they currently lack due to subsidies (and marketing).
Stephanie says
I recommend watching Fathead, it’s on hulu.
Jenn says
The government shouldn’t be subsidizing anything. Period. End of story.
Cassi Friz says
the sad part to me is that some all-natural, real food based soda’s would also get the brunt of the tax. while the industry can afford a few more taxes, our small local root beer makers and ginger beer brewers would be the ones to really suffer at the check-out. Not that they sell like the big guys anyways.
I think government subsidies should be withdrawn from the big ag industry. then our stores would reflect prices that would make local farms seem reasonable. and the artificially lowered prices of processed junk food would be unsustainable. local meat prices would also suddenly become reasonable as the industrial prices would have to rise to cover the cost of unsubsidized grains. The surplus glut of midwestern crops would fall apart, and our country would be forced to face the truth about where their food comes from and at what cost.
granted, it’s pricey on the front end, but it could do our health care industry a lot of good and save a lot of children from sickly sad lives! and i’m speaking as a child who grew up with the pain of a wheat allergy and lactose intolerance in the 80’s- when no one even thought that food could hurt people so badly.
Blessings-
Tracy says
Once you make your opinion law you open that door for everyone. The government is not here to enforce belief systems. Our amazing government was originated to protect our right to individual belief systems. I don’t buy soda. I have educated my children on this decision. I still want them to use their minds in the future when they make those choices in their homes. I have beliefs that differ from our government on vaccines and the food pyramid. Most of us here are controversial in our dietary opinions and beliefs. Do you really want your life mandated by a panel of experts. No thank you. I want to do my own research and choose my own way. I want YOU ALL to have that right…even if I don’t agree with you. I have faith that we all find the way for ourselves.
Debbie says
totally agree tracey. as much as i am frustrated with the crap in the supermarket, i don’t want the gov’t involved with my eating choices. my idea of “healthy” differs far from most people, i don’t want “the gov’ts idea” imposed on my family
Stephanie says
The government should stop subsidies, let capitalism work. Get the government out of corn and grains and prices would rise naturally on soda if that is going to deter people.
American’s choose to eat what they choose, just like many people are still smoking. I don’t know many people who have stopped smoking because it is so expensive, most do it because they realize the health consequences in their own lives. I know people who smoke that the last thing in their budget to be cut would be their nicotine.
Again diabetes would be lessened with the government getting out. Americans used to eat less carbs until the government started pushing their ideal “plates”. Telling people to stop eating eggs and other “bad” foods without the science to really back it up.
a says
amen!!
Wendy Hawkinson says
Where would it stop? All processed food? I think it’s a really bad idea, because once the government starts taxing where would the line be drawn? Americans would be taxed to death! There are very few healthy food choices because unless it is organic, it has all been tampered with (even then you have to wonder).
Stacey says
The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan needs to be required reading for anyone who eats.
The only reason food is cheap is because conventional and gmo farming is subsidized. Real food is not cheap, and is often unaffordable. Junk food, soda, processed food etc should all be taxed at a premium to allow whole foods to be subsidized and affordable.
Soda is not actually food. It is a food-like substance. Anything that falls into the category of food-like-substance should be taxed.
audrey greenwood says
Soda has become its own ‘food group’…even people who eat relatively healthy, drink soda throughout the day. Soda is supposed to be a treat. Diet or not, it is not something we ever need to drink. There is plenty of evidence now that the diet sodas reset our sweet tooth and diet sodas may lead to great weight gain…certainly does not reduce weight.
We definitely should have a soda tax…who needs a half gallon of soda at a time????
audrey