Bellbrook graduation 2012
Fairfield Senior 2012 graduation
Kroger Aquatic Center opens
Home > Blogs > Here's the Deal > Archives > 2009 > May > 13 > Entry
Tax could make soda prices pop
Sugary soft drinks have always been bad for your waistline, but they might soon have a dietary effect on your wallet if a proposed tax wins approval.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, May 12, that:
“The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington-based watchdog group that pressures food companies to make healthier products, plans to propose a federal excise tax on soda, certain fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas. It would not include most diet beverages. Excise taxes are levied on goods and manufacturers typically pass them on to consumers.”
The WSJ said the beverage tax is just one of hundreds of ideas that lawmakers are weighing to finance the health-care plans.
Wallet Pop, which writes in favor of the tax, said that the rationale behind the proposal is that the consumption of sugary beverages leads to weight problems which in turn lead to serious health problems.
The site also notes that the only real argument against it is that it would have a greater impact on the wallets of those with lower incomes.
What do you think? Is taxing soda a win-win for health care? Or does it target the wrong demographic?
Permalink | Comments (34) | Post your comment | Categories: Consumer interest, Talking point
Comments
By CONNIE TAYLOR
May 13, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this
We having been paying OH sales tax on soft drinks for years and years. It use to be that all ice-tea was tax free, but, not,only unsweetened ice tea is not taxed. I do not feel that it is far for the government to charge tax on things that they deem are unhealthy. If a person does not eat and drink healthy things to begin with, the tax will not change this. What’s next, tax on Twinkies!
By Stephen Mann
May 13, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
First, taxes like this only hurt the poor. Second, you cannot guarantee one penny of long term health care savings as a result of said tax. Third, if said beverages are so bad, why tax, why not just outlaw them altogether, worked great for alcohol.
By taxed out
May 13, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
is the extra tax money going to go toward the health care system or towards some fat rich guys pockets?
By Stephen Mann
May 13, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Yeah, good luck trying to get them to tell you where that tax money is going. Our countries Founders proposed taxes only as a means to raise revenue for NECESSARY federal expenses. Taxes for the purpose of influencing social behavior or policy are unconstitutional. But with the idiots we elect, and appoint to the bench, not much chance of getting them to realize it.
By Roger
May 13, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this
“The site also notes that the only real argument against it is that it would have a greater impact on the wallets of those with lower incomes.” How about the ‘real argument’ that sin taxes, as they are inappropriately coined, punish the exercise of freedom to consume at our own risk. How about the ‘real argument’ that most of us will not incur health problems directly related to consumption of said products and will be punished for when we do want to enjoy them. How about the ‘real argument’ that those who are privately insured or pay as needed for health care will have to pay for government provided health care coverage they won’t use. How about the ‘real argument’ Sin taxes have historically triggered rampant smuggling and black markets. How about the ‘real argument’ that as you begin taxing one thing you open the door wider for taxation on more things. Could there someday be a Salt tax (Consuming too much salt can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, edema and kidney stones), an artificial butter tax (You’ll pay even more for movie theater popcorn), a power tool tax (Because too many amateur home repairers are being injured. you should hire a professional to make that shelf in the garage), a BMX bicycle tax (Because people who ride BMX bikes account for more hospital visits than other bicycle riders)? You can make decisions for yourself. You can make right and wrong decisions. You and you alone should take all responsibility for the decisions you make.
By cantbeatagoodfilet
May 13, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this
First they tax/control what we buy, then they control what we say, then they control what we think. 1984 is rapidly approaching, and our Founding Fathers are spinning in their graves.
By Ben
May 13, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this
This is what happens when you have big gov’t. Big brother knows best!! You wanted Obama and this is what you get so stop complaining. I’m glad I voted for the “other guy.”
By DB
May 13, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
Our new pres is really lowing taxes for 95% of America. Between smokes and pop, it just went up for about 60%, hope you all are happy with your change cause I don’t have any left!
By DB
May 13, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this
Our new pres is really lowing taxes for 95% of America. Between smokes and pop, it just went up for about 60%, hope you all are happy with your change cause I don’t have any left!
By DB
May 13, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this
Our new pres is really lowing taxes for 95 percent of America. Between smokes and pop, it just went up for about 60 percent. Hope you all are happy with your change cause I don’t have any left!
By DB
May 13, 2009 3:54 PM | Link to this
sorry, slow computer!
By aharddaysnight
May 13, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
It’s about time someone besides smokers started paying out. I think they should do this with alcohol too.
By Joan
May 13, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this
Money may be the topic of the proposed taxes on soft drinks and anything else they deem taxable! However control is the real reason. The govt wants to be able to tell you what, how much, and when you can eat, drink or smoke or who knows what is next?
By Eugen
May 13, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this
Everyone who thinks it is wrong is right, but Roger makes the biggest point and that is that this an attack on our freedom.
By Rosco
May 13, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this
Welcome to Big Brother telling what you are going to be eating drinking and what your child will be we he grows up to work. Welcome to Change,no in my pocket no change in my pay,no change in my house or car,no change in my savings or 401k, because the only change is tax me more,increase gas prices. I feel sorry for the High School and College Graduates that are getting ready to start there lives in these sad times. I wish them all the luck and hope for a job.
By Bella
May 13, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
What will this mean for “free refills” at restaurant? 3cents is really a baby step - but man are we getting pummled by babies!
By painfultruth
May 13, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this
Sieg Heil! Zere hiss NO SMOKINK in OHIO. Zere vill be TAX on sofft drinkks. Zere can be NO GAMBLINK in OHIO. Zere hiss NO STRIP KLUBBS in OHIO. Now, go have a good time before that’s illegal too! You fools that want to control others have DESTROYED THE FREEDOM of the USA!
By clinton frazier
May 13, 2009 5:50 PM | Link to this
I think the whole country is going to hell!!!! Think everyone should just move to canada or to another country and let the goverment have this country let them live here by them self
By jm
May 13, 2009 6:44 PM | Link to this
How many times per day can I pee? And how much will I have to pay?
By YesWeCan
May 14, 2009 7:54 AM | Link to this
Great comment painfultruth - whatever happened to capitalism? Our country became great because of our freedoms, a capitalistic economy, and a government that left individual choice to the individual. Why do I have to be forced to pay for universal health care everytime I have a Coke or cigarette? This is socialism at its finest. What a tragedy that our country endures tough economic times and we throw out American freedoms in a panic
By jeff bowermaster
May 14, 2009 8:14 AM | Link to this
I’ll tell you what tax is next. There is aids, sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregancies. etc. that are contributing to our health care costs. Next we will pay a tax for having sex.
By Tom
May 14, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this
Someone is going to have to pay for this Washington bailout crap. You can not print money out of thin air unless you want runaway inflation. It is only going to get worse as time passes
By Novachic
May 14, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this
It’s nice to finally see some others that have common sense. Too many people wanted “Change”. Well they’ve got it now, don’t they? Too bad it’s change in an even worse direction than before.
By Lori
May 14, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
Someone please explain to me how this hurts the poor? Do poor people NEED soda more than everyone else?
By Jill Kelley
May 14, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
In trying to delete extra copies of a recent comment, I deleted all four of the same post in error. Whoever wrote that deleted item, please repost if you wish. I apologize for the error.
By brown turd
May 14, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
Orwells big brother is getting bigger. Another notch on the stick of revolt or revolution, 1776 here we come. This time its not foreign, but our own greed to line the poorly run govt. Bible speaks of an antichrist. I do believe the SOB is already here and is in the form of opression, do-gooders,and our supposedly form of govt.
By Tonya Nichols
May 14, 2009 2:26 PM | Link to this
Why Tax Soda,Lets tax more alcohol, and stop taking advantage of ppl who drink it and stop taxing cigarettes and stop the drug dealers for selling to our children.
By Tonya Nichols
May 14, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this
Why Tax Soda,Lets tax more alcohol, and stop taking advantage of ppl who drink it and stop taxing cigarettes and stop the drug dealers for selling to our children. Just dont let us have nothing then they can b happy,Do u trust the gov’t ,ask a indian he can tell u. Look where it got us
By TJE
May 14, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
The Prez didn’t lower taxes on 95% of people, that’s a myth. Check out your paystubs, your federal withholding was changed so they aren’t withholding as much as before but you’re only entitled to $400 so if they are withholding more than that (and they are!) you will end up owing come next year! And you know you can submit a new W-4 through your employer to adjust your withholding to make sure the feds aren’t going to make you bend over for this “tax cut” - what a lie - when you file.
By TJE
May 14, 2009 4:15 PM | Link to this
Let me correct myself. They aren’t withholding more from you, you are getting more in your paychecks but if you do the math you’ll see your getting to keep more than the $400 allotted and so you’ll end up owing on your federal taxes come next spring. Sorry if I confused anyone with my previous post. Why couldn’t they have just cut us checks like Bush did a couple of years ago? When they did that everyone got what they were supposed to and we didn’t have to pay taxes on it.
By Reality
February 1, 2010 2:20 PM | Link to this
Just happened on this site. FYI folks, you already pay for health care for everyone…it’s called inflate the cost of insurance premiums, inflate the cost of proceedures, office visits, etc., to offset the expense of those who do not pay. Oh, don’t forget the monies we pay to support the mothers and fathers of the wealthy who take advantage of laws they’ve created to hide their wealth so the government will pay for expensive nursing homes. Serioulsy, do you really think differently? The medical profession, the insurance companies aren’t going to support a cut in income! Hence, propaganda.
By Buy Ambien
April 5, 2010 7:41 AM | Link to this
sugars definable body subpoena accordingly anfiide smile surveyed metropolises nametags isomorphic
By Buy Cialis
April 16, 2010 8:54 AM | Link to this
partible causal jeopardise strangers bravo treatments elses prestige company illusion rating
By seo lace
May 3, 2010 1:31 AM | Link to this
IU can’t read www.oxfodpress.coim in Safari 7., I just htoughf I wluld tlel ylu about it!