Sugar tax - good or bad?
Discussion
It seems that in the budget, George Osborne has unveiled a tax on the makers of sugary soft drinks to 'tackle childhood obesity'.
Is this a good idea, Will this help our obesity crisis?
I don't know, I am torn between thinking it's a good idea, but at the same time, is it just a cynical ploy to rake in more taxes for no impact on obesity at all, according to studies in the US, France, Hungary, Finland, Mexico and Denmark.
Is this a good idea, Will this help our obesity crisis?
I don't know, I am torn between thinking it's a good idea, but at the same time, is it just a cynical ploy to rake in more taxes for no impact on obesity at all, according to studies in the US, France, Hungary, Finland, Mexico and Denmark.
Edited by chris watton on Wednesday 16th March 16:47
Pieman68 said:
Interesting point I have seen made with regards to why it only relates to soft drinks
Why not cereals/cakes/biscuits etc? Surely just as important to reduce sugar content in those as well
Absolutely! It is in almost everything, even so called healthy mainstream foods, even in foods you'd never guess would contain sugar.Why not cereals/cakes/biscuits etc? Surely just as important to reduce sugar content in those as well
Once again its just a money making thing as they know people will still buy the drinks.
If they really wanted to cut obesity levels then they would implement a maximum level of sugar allowed in 100ml of liquid.
Sugar is supposedly more addictive than cocaine so the people that are hooked will pay whatever in needs to buy the stuff.
I went cold turkey on sugary drinks, sweets and cakes 6 months ago and feel so much better on the inside as I don't get constipated and suffer stomach pains anymore. I now look at sugar loaded food not needing the urge to eat them.
Good riddance I say.
If they really wanted to cut obesity levels then they would implement a maximum level of sugar allowed in 100ml of liquid.
Sugar is supposedly more addictive than cocaine so the people that are hooked will pay whatever in needs to buy the stuff.
I went cold turkey on sugary drinks, sweets and cakes 6 months ago and feel so much better on the inside as I don't get constipated and suffer stomach pains anymore. I now look at sugar loaded food not needing the urge to eat them.
Good riddance I say.
Pieman68 said:
Interesting point I have seen made with regards to why it only relates to soft drinks
Why not cereals/cakes/biscuits etc? Surely just as important to reduce sugar content in those as well
Exactly it's not a sugar tax at all it's a soft drink tax. Either do something properly or not at all. Why not cereals/cakes/biscuits etc? Surely just as important to reduce sugar content in those as well
whoami said:
Just another random tax which will have no impact at all on obesity/health.
It probably won't have a significant effect on obesity, etc but at least it will be seen to be doing something positive to discourage sugar consumption.Also, it if raises some additional tax revenue, then it's a positive to the overall economy and also reduces the chance of other taxes being increased / created.
Mandat said:
whoami said:
Just another random tax which will have no impact at all on obesity/health.
It probably won't have a significant effect on obesity, etc but at least it will be seen to be doing something positive to discourage sugar consumption.Also, it if raises some additional tax revenue, then it's a positive to the overall economy and also reduces the chance of other taxes being increased / created.
Two things. One, I'm a bit cheesed off about having to pay extra when I have the odd can of pop; just because some feckers haven't got the self control not to drink it all the time.
And Two, the drink makers will just change over to sweeteners which are, arguably, just as bad for health
It's a rubbish tax, which won't raise the amounts projected
And Two, the drink makers will just change over to sweeteners which are, arguably, just as bad for health
It's a rubbish tax, which won't raise the amounts projected
whoami said:
Just another random tax which will have no impact at all on obesity/health.
Except it has already been shown to work elsewhere...http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/18/mexic...
InfoRetrieval said:
whoami said:
Just another random tax which will have no impact at all on obesity/health.
Except it has already been shown to work elsewhere...http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/18/mexic...
If it raises awareness and focus it's a good thing. 
The revenue raised is to be redirected into PT for schools, knock on health benefits will also reduce the NHS burden. A good thing no?
As an occasional purchaser, I don't resent the additional cost of pop. In the same way that I didn't resent the price of fags when I was an occasional "on a night out with the lads" kind of smoker.
The revenue raised is to be redirected into PT for schools, knock on health benefits will also reduce the NHS burden. A good thing no?
As an occasional purchaser, I don't resent the additional cost of pop. In the same way that I didn't resent the price of fags when I was an occasional "on a night out with the lads" kind of smoker.
I'm all for hugely cutting sugar intake, I think it's bad for you and very addictive (though I still enjoy the odd cake once a week or so). This tax will make no difference however, crap sugary drinks are so cheap that increasing the price by a few % isn't going to put anyone off buying them.
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