Public Policy
Soda Tax The Policy: In February 2013, Senator Bill Monning, D-Carmel, proposed the soda tax that would charge a 1-cent-per ounce tax on sweetened beverages, such as sodas. This is described to be as part of an effort to help fight child obesity through improving nutrition and fitness programs. History:
One of the biggest epidemics facing Americans right now is obesity. One can argue that soda and other sugary drinks are the biggest contributor because of all the “empty calories.” Two- thirds of Americans are obese and one in three children are overweight or obese.
In hopes of eliminating one cause of obesity, the Soda Tax was created proposing a higher tax on sweetened beverages. The soda tax is part of the “sin” taxes. According to the Annenberg Institute for Civics, sin taxes are taxes on products considered harmful to a person’s physical or moral health. Sin taxes have been used successfully to discourage habits such as smoking (Annenberg).
Sugar filled beverages have become the single largest source of calories in the American diet. About 7 percent of our total average calorie intake are sugary sodas. Sugar- sweetened drinks i.e sodas, artificially enhanced juices, etc. have been directly linked to weight gain in not only adults but children too. Sugary drinks are proven to weaken your teeth and gums and increase the amount of acid in your mouth which eats away at the tooth enamel. In addition, sugary drinks have large amounts of high fructose corn syrup which can lead heart disease, liver disease, and diabetes.
Sodas and sugary drinks are a key source of excess calories in the American diet with the intake of sugary beverages doubling in the past 50 years (Annenberg). Unlike like other sweet items, sugared drinks don’t make you feel refreshed or full and actually trigger hunger senses making consumers want more snacks to accompany the sugary drink. Soda companies have created an environment saturated with soda, to make people drink
One of the biggest epidemics facing Americans right now is obesity. One can argue that soda and other sugary drinks are the biggest contributor because of all the “empty calories.” Two- thirds of Americans are obese and one in three children are overweight or obese.
In hopes of eliminating one cause of obesity, the Soda Tax was created proposing a higher tax on sweetened beverages. The soda tax is part of the “sin” taxes. According to the Annenberg Institute for Civics, sin taxes are taxes on products considered harmful to a person’s physical or moral health. Sin taxes have been used successfully to discourage habits such as smoking (Annenberg).
Sugar filled beverages have become the single largest source of calories in the American diet. About 7 percent of our total average calorie intake are sugary sodas. Sugar- sweetened drinks i.e sodas, artificially enhanced juices, etc. have been directly linked to weight gain in not only adults but children too. Sugary drinks are proven to weaken your teeth and gums and increase the amount of acid in your mouth which eats away at the tooth enamel. In addition, sugary drinks have large amounts of high fructose corn syrup which can lead heart disease, liver disease, and diabetes.
Sodas and sugary drinks are a key source of excess calories in the American diet with the intake of sugary beverages doubling in the past 50 years (Annenberg). Unlike like other sweet items, sugared drinks don’t make you feel refreshed or full and actually trigger hunger senses making consumers want more snacks to accompany the sugary drink. Soda companies have created an environment saturated with soda, to make people drink