Discussion
like we need jamie oliver to tell us there is alot of sugar in coke...wow thanks jamie.
in my opinion alot of onus is on shops, and i'm talking supermarkets in the main to label and inform people properly and let people make their own choices.
the biggest gripe I have is the pricing of junk and crap food is way cheaper more often than healthy options.
cheaper fruit and veg or more expensive junk food might deter people a bit but the main thing is education and balance.
i don't drink full fat coke but i drink wine and lager. my choice and i know the consequences. I also cook at least 5/7 days with fresh ingredients, salad, veg etc. often cheaper options win for families on low incomes and it tends to be unhealthier.
supermarkets could do more.
in my opinion alot of onus is on shops, and i'm talking supermarkets in the main to label and inform people properly and let people make their own choices.
the biggest gripe I have is the pricing of junk and crap food is way cheaper more often than healthy options.
cheaper fruit and veg or more expensive junk food might deter people a bit but the main thing is education and balance.
i don't drink full fat coke but i drink wine and lager. my choice and i know the consequences. I also cook at least 5/7 days with fresh ingredients, salad, veg etc. often cheaper options win for families on low incomes and it tends to be unhealthier.
supermarkets could do more.
Consumption taxes work, if they are set at a high enough level. The reduced prevalence of smoking (and the increased prevalence of tobacco smuggling) clearly indicate this. If a bottle of standard cola was significantly more expensive than one of sugar-free cola, more people would choose the latter, but they would still have a choice.
If there was clear evidence that a sugar tax would reduce diabetes and obesity, and if the money raised was used to fund the NHS, I would be in favour.
If there was clear evidence that a sugar tax would reduce diabetes and obesity, and if the money raised was used to fund the NHS, I would be in favour.
legzr1 said:
Contrary to a post above, taxation has had a great affect on children taking to smoking:
http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_108.pdf
From 1982-2014 the number of 15 year olds smoking has dropped from 24% to 8%.
Why wouldn't a sugar tax have a similar outcome?
£56 for a Mars Bar anyone?
Seriously, did you not look at then then look up when the indoor smoking ban came into effect, seriously? http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_108.pdf
From 1982-2014 the number of 15 year olds smoking has dropped from 24% to 8%.
Why wouldn't a sugar tax have a similar outcome?
£56 for a Mars Bar anyone?
Taxation on smoking was used as a demonstration of inelastic pricing vs demand in O'level economics in 1986 FFS.
vanordinaire said:
Would deep-frying Mars bars make them tax exempt?
Mars bar pasty would be 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasty_tax
Hoofy said:
It won't work. The tax on cigarettes is hardly putting off teenagers from smoking. Where the hell they get that kind of cash to blow on packets of cigarettes is beyond me.
So charging 7p extra a can won't mean SFA.
"Twinkie diet".
It is putting off adults and the number of people smoking is tiny compared to 40 years ago.So charging 7p extra a can won't mean SFA.
"Twinkie diet".
wolves_wanderer said:
I would like a 105% windfall tax on thick-tongued, mockney t
ts.
ts. 
BoRED S2upid said:
I saw a bit of him in front of the select committee he was trying for an age limit to buy red bull. I'm not sure how a 10,11,12,13 year old proves how old they are or at what age he thinks the age limit should be. This was after they dismissed a tax.
If they want to raise revenue and have next to no impact on consumption, then tax these drinks.If they want to cut down on consumption then make the selling of sugary drinks only allowed on licensed premises like alcohol. And don't give corner shops a license. Ban drinks vending machines.
(I am not advocating either of the above)
there will be a limit to which people will base price on a purchasing decision.
10p or 10% on a can of coke - will that REALLY deter someone from buying it?
as soon as the price goes up there will be another product or substitute along soon. A discount sale....get your 10p tax back at cost-co...blah blah.
supply and demand for low cost items isn't as price sensitive as a packet of fags even. £6.50 for 20 bensons would put me off if I smoked - which I don't but 10p on a 70p drink wouldn't.
10p or 10% on a can of coke - will that REALLY deter someone from buying it?
as soon as the price goes up there will be another product or substitute along soon. A discount sale....get your 10p tax back at cost-co...blah blah.
supply and demand for low cost items isn't as price sensitive as a packet of fags even. £6.50 for 20 bensons would put me off if I smoked - which I don't but 10p on a 70p drink wouldn't.
roachcoach said:
It constantly amuses me, the amount of "1984" references flung around in reality we're heading far faster into "Demolition man" territory.
Not just drifting there, either, people are screaming out for it.
Whatever happened to personal responsibility?
Not just drifting there, either, people are screaming out for it.
Whatever happened to personal responsibility?
the Inner Party upper class of Oceanian society reside in clean and comfortable flats in their own quarter of the city, with pantries well-stocked with foodstuffs such as wine, coffee, and sugar that are denied to the general populace.
I swear Orwell was a time traveller!
BoRED S2upid said:
I swear Orwell was a time traveller!
He wasn't a time traveler, he just spent a lot of time in fascist Europe and grew up among British colonialists and Catholics - Real name Blair as it happens, George Orwell was just a pseudonym. People really haven't changed that much in the last 100 years, we're motivated by the provision of comfort and are liable to err in our pursuit of it.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff