I really don't think we should make that statement about the Reuters piece ("According to Reuters, studies have shown that while obesity rates in the US are rising, overall consumption of full-calorie soda has declined.")
While the piece (at http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/06/us-usa-drinks-tax-idUSBRE88507M20120906 ) does cite the American Beverage Association as saying that obesity rates have risen while consumption of "full calorie" (presumably meaning non-diet) sodas has decreased, the only "studies" it refers to are studies that reach a contrary conclusion which does *not* help our argument:
A Tufts University review of studies published over 17 years found that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was the most consistent dietary factor associated with weight gain.
If we were to stick with the language below, I think we could justifiably be accused of misrepresenting the article and cherry-picking data to mislead voters.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
[Attachment(s) from Aubrey Freedman included below]
Hi All. I added in a section about the Mexican soda tax and also a section about farm subsidies encouraging cheap fructose corn syrup and deleted the section about switching to alternatives (already mentioned in the original argument). I especially loved Francoise's ending and only added in a comma there. Clocked in at 246. Please review and let's get this one finalized also.
According to Reuters, studies have shown that while obesity rates in the US are rising, overall consumption of full-calorie soda has declined.
But even if soda were contributing to obesity, singling it out for taxation is a poor method of combating the problem.
Proponents of obesity taxation argue that they are helping to internalize externalities, by making people who consume soda (and are theoretically causing a rise in health care costs) pay for those health costs through a tax, yet what they really do is unfairly burden all who enjoy soda and candy, regardless of what might be otherwise very healthy lifestyle habits.
Proponents cite Mexico’s soda tax as proof that a soda tax works to reduce obesity, but the tax is too new to prove anything, other than beverage industry sales dropped. Where is the proof that obesity rates also dropped?
Just as cigarette taxes have led to smuggling, tax evasion, and violence, the soda tax will have adverse consequences that legislators cannot anticipate.
One real way to help reduce obesity is to reduce subsidies to the agricultural sector that encourage the harvesting of corn (30% of US crop land), which is widely used to make relatively cheap high fructose corn syrup.
The solution to the obesity problem will not come from abdicating personal decisions like eating choices to government. It will come from consumers making prudent decisions about their own diets, exercise, and health needs.
Vote NO on E.
Libertarian Party of San Francisco
Thanks!
Aubrey
According to Reuters, studies have shown that while obesity rates in the US are rising, overall consumption of full-calorie soda has declined.
But even if soda were contributing to obesity, singling it out for taxation is a poor method of combating the problem.
Proponents of obesity taxation argue that they are helping to internalize externalities, by making people who consume soda (and are theoretically causing a rise in health care costs) pay for those health costs through a tax, yet what they really do is unfairly burden all who enjoy soda and candy, regardless of what might be otherwise very healthy lifestyle habits.
Proponents cite Mexico’s soda tax as proof that a soda tax works to reduce obesity, but the tax is too new to prove anything, other than beverage industry sales dropped. Where is the proof that obesity rates also dropped?
Just as cigarette taxes have led to smuggling, tax evasion, and violence, the soda tax will have adverse consequences that legislators cannot anticipate.
One real way to help reduce obesity is to reduce subsidies to the agricultural sector that encourage the harvesting of corn (30% of US crop land), which is widely used to make relatively cheap high fructose corn syrup.
The solution to the obesity problem will not come from abdicating personal decisions like eating choices to government. It will come from consumers making prudent decisions about their own diets, exercise, and health needs.
Vote NO on E.
Libertarian Party of San Francisco