Taxing Sweetened drinks

[skb]

Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages by the amount of sugar they contain, rather than by the liquid volume of these drinks, as several U.S. cities currently do, could produce even greater health benefits and economic gains, a team of researchers has concluded.

Article

[Sweety]

That is such a good idea skb. It should be implemented all over the world.

[walkerwally1]

Although it may produce the results they are looking for I am not fond of government taxing an item to force compliance with what they deem harmful.  Yes sugar is harmful in large quantities but I think education is the best way to approach getting people to change.  If someone in government decides that something you are eating is harmful and decides to tax it out of existence, say fat, then you will have no choice to decide for yourself. 

[bigskygal]

I am definitely on the side of less government control over our lives. I agree with Wally, while we know sugar is harmful, it is up to each of us to make the choice to use the product or not. Once they start down this road, what other things will they try to tax into oblivion, fat, meat, candy, cookies??? Where would it end?

[skb]

Wally,

You make a very good point indeed. Substance control is a government prerogative and its case wise use is essential, but if used irrationally it could be a PITA.

Sugar has known addictive properties and ill effects and as such needs some control, by regulation if not taxes.