Question

A few states and cities across the United States have imposed a soda tax or a sugar tax on soft drinks, to reduce overall sugar consumption. In most forms, the tax is designed to discourage the production, importation, and purchase of carbonated, uncarbonated, sports and energy drinks with excess levels of added sugar. This kind of tax is a matter of public debate and often strongly opposed by food and beverage producers. Advocates promote this tax as an incentive to cut down on unhealthy diets and offset the growing economic costs of obesity. Do you support a sugar or soda tax? If so, why? If not, why not? Please discuss in detail by showing solid economic reasons to support your view.

Answer 1

Answer:

Yes. I support sugar/ soda tax. Because sugar causes obesity among people - adults and children alike. Obesity comes at a personal and social cost. Personally, an obese person is at a higher risk of catching diabetes.or chronic breathing disorder or getting a heart attack. But given that it is his personal choice and decision, we must respect his decision as much as it deserves. But what goes beyond personal paradigm into social welfare needs to be tackled. A person's obesity causes negative externality because obesity results in higher healthcare costs. These healthcare costs are borne collectively by all. This means even those who are not obese share the financial burden caused due to obesity. Besides, obese population eats into significantly more medical resources than non-obese population.

Therefore, what self-control cannot achieve is fulfilled by the government interference in the form of soda tax or sugar tax that endeavors to modify the behavior and reduce the negative externality to society in general.