Another one for the Department-of-Unintended-Consequences, from NYT’s City Room:
While the governor is taking aim at obesity caused by sugary drinks, Mr. Eusebio worries that the proposed tax would slim down the beverage industry, which he said pays $6.7 billion in wages statewide and generates billions more for the economy.
But he also mentioned some far smaller numbers that startled a soft-drink drinker.
“A six-pack of soda is going to cost you approximately $4.99†if the penny-an-ounce tax goes through, Mr. Eusebio said, “where you can pick up beer from $2.99 to $3.99.â€
Off to the neighborhood supermarket, where it turned out that Mr. Eusebio’s math was not far off. With the tax, a six-pack of Coca-Cola or Pepsi would cost 2 cents more than a six-pack of the cheapest beer in the store.
To be fair, the “cheapest beer” apparently includes such brands as Old Milwaukee…and even the thriftiest, alcohol-friendly consumers will stay with Cola over that. But at $5.61 for a 6-pack of Coke (2 cents per ounce times 6 cans times 12 ounces, plus the 30 cent container tax) is pretty daunting no matter what the alternatives are.
(Update: Headline was reversed…)
Concerning Governor Paterson’s proposed soda tax and the absurd justification behind it. I dislike when my tax dollars are use in the name of bad science. Soda has been around since 1265. See… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink#History
Governor Paterson should back off the soda. It is not the source of the obesity problem. Inferior physical and nutritional education, which of course leads to poor exercise habits and ill-advised diets, are the cause of inflated waistlines. Having a salad with a Coke is far better then a bottle of water to wash down a face full of dirty water dogs. Add walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator and you’re golden.
There is bad science supporting this bad tax. See… http://www.scientificblogging.com/news_articles/doctors_poke_holes_soda_tax_proposal
I advocate the responsible use of governmental powers, both in taxation and implementation of programs. Why target soda with an extra tax? Isn’t the sale tax we all pay on all the food we purchase enough of a burden? Will a soda tax really do anything to curb obesity?
It offends me that some politician is planning to tax my freedom of choice in the name of a problem he will do nothing to solve. The evaluation of Governor Paterson’s soda tax really comes down to one question. How much of those soda tax dollars will fund physical exercise programs vs. pet projects to keep the politicians in office?
The headline to this article is wrong. It should be reversed.
Obesity is a growing health problem these days because people are too lazy to do some extra exercise and they eat too much. i always exercise and do cardio regularly to maintain a healthy weight.