New York state plans soft drinks 'obesity tax'

Maverick · Dec 16, 2008

Yet another way to get money from the citizens of NY

New York state plans soft drinks 'obesity tax'

By Jonathan Birchall in New York
Published: December 16 2008 02:00 | Last updated: December 16 2008 02:00

New York state could impose an "obesity tax" on high-calorie soft drinks such as non-diet versions of Coke and Pepsi as public concerns over obesity turn potentially fattening foods into a politically acceptable target for taxation.
David Paterson, New York's governor, is to include a proposed tax of around 15 per cent in a draft budget aimed at closing the state's $13.3bn deficit.
He is also expected to call for spending cuts, and for other revenue-raising measures including extra fees on sales of luxuries including furs and boats. Mr Paterson has said he will not raise state income tax.
A number of US states have sales taxes on soft drinks, sweets and snacks, while most other foods are tax-exempt. But New York's proposals would be the first to distinguish between "diet" and "non-diet" products. It would also double the existing 7.5 per cent sales tax, already one of the highest in the US, potentially raising over $400m.
The proposal follows previous efforts by state legislators in New York and California to pass a "fat tax" on high calorie foods. It is expected to face opposition from both Coca-Cola and from Pepsico, which has its corporate headquarters in New York state.
Sugared soft drinks have become a particular target for anti-obesity campaigners, with a 2005 study from the Center for Science in the Public Interest saying they are the single largest source of calories consumed by Americans.
A review of 88 nutritional studies published last year in the American Journal of Public Health also found "clear associations" between the consumption of non-diet soft drinks and increased calorie intake and body weight.
But a rival review of 12 studies published this year in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition said there was "virtually no association" between drinking sugary sodas and weight gain in children and adolescents.
The American Beverage Association argues that lack of exercise, genetics and other factors need to be taken into consideration in considering the causes of rising obesity rates. Margo Wootan, director of CSPI, said a modest tax on non-diet carbonated drinks was unlikely to have a significant impact on consumption levels. But she said it was "a reasonable way to raise money . . . It is a luxury item, an extra that people do not need to have in their diet".
Both Coke and Pepsi have responded to concerns over obesity by committing to voluntary guidelines that eliminate advertising and marketing of the sugary drinks to children under 12.
Norway has experimented with imposing higher rates of sales tax on high-fat and high calorie foods. The UK saw an unsuccessful campaign last year by the British Soft Drinks Association which pushed for the sales tax on "healthier" fruit juices to be lowered from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent.
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AC0110 · Dec 16, 2008

It's like a loss loss more to me...

People will probably just not buy the shit which then further damage the economy...

MissCheekS · Dec 17, 2008

its not fair to ppl who are not obese but like some junk food once in a while.....
maybe they should weigh ppl before they sell n base on that

i think its a good idea to reduce prices of fresh drinks tho...

brown_bear · Dec 17, 2008

^ yeshhhh sometimes i want orange juice but its ubbbbber expensive :(

hadouken · Dec 17, 2008

lmao wtf i thought i voted for not being fat and neutral but now that i read the whole thing it says

"Err, Obesity Tax? I'm not fat, I'm big boned. No, tax for me"

FAIL poll !

New York state plans soft drinks 'obesity tax'

Is Obesity Tax a good idea?

Yes, the government gets tax money and the citizens better health. Win-Win Situation :)

No, this is yet another way the government tries to get their hands on OUR money :(

Err, Obesity Tax? I'm not fat, I'm big boned. No, tax for me -devil

Maverick Lord Vader

AC0110 Let the Fun Begin

MissCheekS Reconnaîssant ❤

brown_bear ☆‧° ☆﹒﹒‧ ☆ ﹒﹒‧☆‧° ☆

hadouken .