The U.S. legislature is considering enacting a tax on carbonated beverages and sugary drinks to help combat obesity and create funds for health care reform.
The proposed tax would add an additional cent per ounce to the cost of many sodas, ades and energy drinks.
While 1 cent-per-ounce doesn’t sound like much, when one does the math it becomes evident that this could represent a relatively small, but still substantial rise in price of these beverages.
For example, a two-liter bottle of soda would cost an additional 67 cents. Considering the fact that many two-liter sodas sell for about 99 cents, an added 67 cents would almost double the cost.
Sure this would allow the federal government to raise a lot of money, but we fear this tax would negatively impact a lot of people, including college students, many of which drink sodas and energy drinks on a regular basis. Our wallets are already hurting because of the recession, and this tax would only make that worse.
We would be fine with a smaller tax, say a 1 cent tax per 12 ounces. This would be much more manageable while still raising money for the government.
But the proposed 1 cent-per-ounce tax reminds us of taxes on “sin” products, like tobacco. While certainly no one needs to drink soda to live, it is not on the same level as tobacco in terms of negative health consequences.
Because of this, we hope this tax does not get off the ground in Congress.
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dio 2 years, 6 months ago
$1.66 is too expensive for a two liter soda bottle!? That is the most idiotic thing I have read today. Congratulations OU Daily staff.
ston9794 2 years, 6 months ago
This bill will never pass, the corn industry will lobby the hell out of congress to kill the bill. Or maybe it will and we can have cane sugar soda again...
soonerboomers 2 years, 6 months ago
Drink water then.
Cambrian 2 years, 6 months ago
Go cry me a river! Just drink tap water. No one needs soda and it doesn't have any health benefit whatsoever. In fact, beer is better for you than soda. Just go by some beer and stop whining about a meager tax on soda you don't need.
winspire 2 years, 6 months ago
You make good point about the high taxes, and placing a bigger financial burden on people is not a good answer. I'd also add that in some ways, people who drink these drinks are taxing their own body in more ways than they are aware of long term.
For many people, energy drinks are mis-named in that while they do create some immediate energy, they leave your body worse off than in the beginning. It’s really hard to find one that will do the job and is actually healthy for you and has the research to prove it.
There are smart solutions, though they aren't typically found on the conventional store isle. Many will find this to be an eye-opener, and if they are like me, a very beneficial one. http://phkey.com
kdbp1213 2 years, 6 months ago
don't wanna pay a soda tax? don't drink the damned soda!!!
TheJeff 2 years, 6 months ago
Furthermore, using a regressive tax which hurts the poor, coupled with an insane rate (50-65%) in effort to fund a program that claims to help the poor, is completely backwards. Although these are the same people proposing a 2.5% tax increase on medical equipment, making health care cheaper by driving up the prices.
Obesity and bad habits are indeed a real problem, and quite frankly far more responsible for health care costs than any evil insurance company. This tax, however, is not the solution.
Tower10 2 years, 6 months ago
Just for reference, a tax on soda is unconstitutional. It is both overreaching of powers of the government in that Congress is only allowed to levy taxes on income (Amendment XVI - although, granted it has been typically allowed to levy taxes on other things); and, it is a violation of rights of the people to exercise free choice. Why would anyone tolerate a tax on soda? This is merely a microcosm of the government slowly expanding its powers and attempting to impede on people's rights. I have a hard time believing the courts would deem this tax constitutional if suit was ever brought against it.