Should the government regulate sugar-sweetened soda to reduce obesity?
The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been linked to risks for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease; therefore, a compelling case can be made for the need for reduced consumption of these beverages.
Taxation has been proposed as a means of reducing the intake of these beverages and thereby lowering health care costs, as well as a means of generating revenue that governments can use for health programs. Currently, 33 states have sales taxes on soft drinks, but the taxes are too small to affect consumption and the revenues are not earmarked for programs related to health.
Seeking to reduce runaway obesity rates, some cities are banning the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, street carts and movie theaters.
Brownell, Kelly D. "A Soda Tax Would Help Reduce Obesity." Nutrition. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints.
Website Articles
- Why We Should All Want to Reduce the Rate of Obesity in Our CountryArticle from The Center for American Progress
- Let's Move! Learn the FactsFirst Lady Michelle Obama's anti-obesity campaign.
- Taxing Soda to Slow the Obesity EpidemicArticle from the Harvard School of Public Health.
- Revenue Calculator for Sugar-Sweetened Beverage TaxesUses this tool to find out how much money Illinois could make by taxing sugar soda.
- Health Panel Approves Restriction on Sale of Large Sugary DrinksArticle from New York Times about the ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, street carts and movie theaters, the first restriction of its kind in the country.
- Strong Words From Both Sides at Soda Ban HearingArticle from New York Times.
- 60% in City Oppose Bloomberg’s Soda Ban, Poll FindsArticle from New York Times.
- Soda Bans in Schools Have Limited ImpactArticle from New York Times.