When you buy a bottle of soda, you don’t think about the price. You just think about how good it tastes. But now states are starting to tax soda and other sugar- sweetened beverages hoping that it will decrease the rates of obesity and diabetes and also reduce sugar consumption bydiscouraging the sales of these addicting drinks.
Philadelphia is the most recent state to impose a soda tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The tax was recently approved in November, along with Boulder, CO and Berkley, CA. Cook County, Illinois also imposed a soda tax following the elections in November 2016, believing that it will bring the state up to $225 million that can be used for other improvements to the health and safety of residents. Although the intentions of this tax are to help to improve the city itself, this tax has been more than just a new law for the residents of Philadelphia—it has also impacted the producers of the product.
Soda taxes have affected the producers of soda, forcing them to make budget cuts among the new legislature that is being passed in states. Pepsi recently laid off 80 employees, claiming that the soda tax was the cause. Although the company never disclosed how much soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages they sell to the states that have imposed the soda tax, they did suggest that if other states imposed a soda tax, it could pose a bigger problem in the sales of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Are soda taxes really the answer to better health nationwide? There has been opposition to these soda taxes, with arguments that these taxes infringe uponthepersonal freedom to manage nutrition choices.There has also been no proof that these taxes actually reduce the sales of beverages containing sugar. The states that have created these taxes have been unsuccessful in maintaining the sales of sugar-sweetened beverages, as people still buy these beverages even at their new high price. In addition, many states are reluctant to impose such taxes because they know voters will not approve the law.
Soda taxes may be a new piece of legislature for better public health and safety, but it has been done before.In New York City, former mayor Bloomberg tried to impose a city wide-soda ban by limiting the size of sugary beverages sold, which was the first of its kind in 2014. However, this measure didn’t last long when the New York court of appeals ruled that the state health department did not have the authority to ban the sale of beverages larger than 16 ounces.
Although states makes these soda taxes for the general well being of citizens, it infringes on the personal autonomy of consumers. People should be able to have the freedom to buy soda even if it is bad for their health. Under the 10th amendment of the United States Constitution, it gives states the power to make these decisions to make such laws, which is why it is not a federal regulation.
However, there are benefits to these soda taxes. Many states create them in order to raise money for other measures that need addressing such as helping the homeless, improving infrastructure or funding schools. This could also change the buying habits of consumers, as the more expensive prices may force them to find other drink options that are healthier such as unsweetened iced tea. The United States is not the only country who has been taxing soda. Other countries around the world such as France, Hungary, Mexico and the United Kingdom have already been taxing soda, and it has proven to be positive for the health of their populations.
Despite these taxes, producers have found ways to target consumers so they can still make profits. To combat the recent soda tax in Philadelphia, Pepsi has started creating new drink options with less sugar that will not be subject to these taxes. How popular will soda taxes become in the future is uncertain. But, according to the World Health Organization, a 20% decrease in sugary drinks can help to reduce obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
Can these measures be enough to improve the health of the population or do they just limit personal autonomy to drink a sugar-sweetened beverage? These taxes may just be what the population needs to improve their health and can help states make other improvements. As more states continue to propose and pass similar legislature, it will likely outline the health of the population.
