Sugar Tax?

Question

So it was announced this morning that W.H.O. Is backing away from sugar tax. I read that the tax has proven to curb sugar consumption and it is argued by some to be helpful in the American diet. 
What are your thoughts?

Answer

I feel that if it’s unhealthy, it should probably be taxed. However, I live in New York and they tax bottled water and clothing. They don’t tax water and clothing in other states because it’s a necessity. Sugar is not a necessity. You don’t need it to survive and it causes a host of health issues.

Answer

Instead of putting a tax on it, why not just change the regulations on how much sugar can be added to stuff? i've seen comments and have known people from other countries to say that even something as simple as white bread is super sweet to them because there's so much sugar added into it.

Answer

I prefer to not have government regulations on every single thing, especially if it’s unnecessary, like this

Answer

I don't like the government inserting themselves where they don't belong. Food products already have labels. Use them. Take responsibility for yourself.

Answer

That’s not exactly correct. One independent commission including WHO members declined to support it, not the whole organization. The Guardian covered it:
“The commission made six recommendations in its report, including for government heads to take responsibility for disease reduction and to increase regulation. It did not mention taxes specifically. The panel said its 21 members represented “rich and diverse views”, but that some views were “conflicting. 
As a result, it said recommendations around sugar taxes and the accountability of the private sector could not be reflected in the report, despite broad support from many commissioners.
A WHO spokesman insisted it still supported taxing sugary drinks. He said: “This is a report by an independent commission, not WHO. WHO stands by its evidence-based guidance, including on the benefits of using fiscal policies to reduce exposure to harmful products, including sugar-sweetened beverages.”
Anyway, they tried a tax here on sugary beverages, and people HATED it. They repealed it less than a year later. I didn’t personally mind it much since I rarely buy sugared drinks, but I did think that the argument that it disproportionately punished poor people for their choices had some merit.

Answer

I already pay a carbon tax and GST on 99.9% of things I buy. Add a sugar tax and you will see people get seriously pissed off. Shit is already too expensive as it is.

Answer

The tax sugar and sugary beverages in Philadelphia... its such a freaking joke. I work in the city.. and for me to buy a bottle of soda on lunch (or Gatorade or OJ or many other drinks...) is almost $4... it’s ridiculous. I use to buy lunch out 1x a week.. now I don’t at all or I just get food and no drink. I’ll bring my own beverage from home.. those that live in the city just travel to the suburbs to grocery shop now... 
Because people like me who use to buy an iced tea or soda are not now,,, they jacked up the prices on water and food, and other things to make up the stores loss revenue.
Also the city was supposed to use the tax money for inter city pre school funding... but no one has seen an changes or enhancements to he program and  the city “misplaced/lost” millions of dollars recently in the budget...
It’s such a scam......

Answer

I like taxes, I think they are a good way to gather money for the public good. I see no problem with it inherently but it might be hard to actually define. Sugar is a very broad term and covers a lot of things.

Answer

An issue with this I’ve found is that it’s targeting the poorest in society. It tends to be those from the working classes that have more high sugar diets in the form of pop and sweets because often they can’t afford healthier options. You can run down the shop and get these items cheap, but fresh organic foods are more expensive. Maybe a better way forward would be instead of implementing a sugar tax like we have in the UK, but set maximum amounts for fresh produce to allow those who struggle financially to have a better and well rounded diet (this is a generalisation that I’ve personally seen and I’m not saying all people who have money trouble eat loads of sugar and have bad diets)

Answer

We’re getting a sugar tax here. I don’t mind it, but I don’t really feel like it will make a difference.

Sugar Tax?

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