Soda Tax Proposed In California

California Proposes A Soda Tax To Combat Obesity & Diabetes

Californians may have to pay an extra soda tax when they purchase any variety of sugary beverages.

This was thought of as a way to combat obesity and diabetes that many Californians, as with the entire country, struggle with.

The idea of a soda tax was proposed by a number of “influencers” in California like State Senate Health Committee Chair Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) and Jodi Hicks, acting CEO for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.

Will forcing Californians to pay an extra soda tax really solve this problem?

Or is it just a ploy to extract more money from the pockets of consumers?

It is clear that this issue affects many people. What is not clear is what is causing this issue in the first place?

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Obesity can lead to a variety of other issues like diabetes, heart problems, and even cancer.

So can the artificial ingredients used in processed foods.

We can see a correlation between the rise in obesity and the implementation of processed foods and artificial sweeteners in what we consume.

High-fructose corn syrup is a particularly bad ingredient linked to obesity and diabetes.

It happens to be in practically every major food item you find at your local grocery store because it’s significantly cheaper to use in processing foods than sugar is.

This is a key ingredient used in almost all of the sodas we are sold.

So, who is a soda tax going help?

The influencers that are proposing this soda tax believe charging consumers more money when they purchase these products will discourage their consumption.

They say the revenue generated with their soda tax idea could fund programs to combat obesity and diabetes.

Why do we think that the cause of the problem is a product and not the ingredient within the product?

Californians already pay some of the highest taxes in the entire country, adding additional taxes on products to create revenue for programs feel like its completely missing the mark on what we can do to combat obesity.

It comes down to a choice.

We choose what we buy.

For some people, it may not feel like much of a choice between buying generic, name brand, or premium products with prices the way they are.

Money and the economics of what we consume plays a huge factor is the root cause of obesity and diabetes.

How would increasing that burden on consumers in California solve anything?

Do you like the idea of a soda tax in California?