Rising Obesity Rates prompts new tax of soft drinks

in health, health care reform by John Domzalski | 2 comments

A new federal excise tax of one penny per 12-ounce soda could generate more than $1.5 billion dollars per year, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest - a nutrition and food safety watchdog group.

A steeper tax of one penny per ounce could raise roughly $16 billion a year—an amount that would make a serious down payment on a comprehensive health care reform bill.

CSPI estimates that taxing soda at that amount would also reduce consumption by 13 percent overall and perhaps more among children, which would help slow the obesity and diabetes epidemics.

The state of Massachusetts, which is weighing a sales tax of 8 percent on sugary drinks, could raise $105 million.

The CSPI launched a web-based Liquid Candy Tax Calculator to show policymakers, activists and media exactly how much money states and the federal government could raise in this way.

For more information on the movement to tax soft drinks check out the press release from CSPI at http://www.cspinet.org/new/200906171.html

You can take action on this proposal at http://takeaction.cspinet.org/campaign/sodaalcoholtax?rk=p1wJNz7az7TwE

Personally, I agree reducing sugar consumption is a good first step for better health. A tax on soft drinks would also provide the much needed funding to cover the cost of health care that the U.S. is destined to bear. But then what?

How does someone “clean-up” the garbage left in the body as a result of poor diet?

The best way I know is Zrii. Find out more by downloading our free report on rejuvination at www.ZNatureDrink.com.