New California Field Poll shows support for 'soda tax'

[alp227]

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Three months after a penny-per-ounce tax on sugary beverages was trounced by Richmond voters, a new statewide poll has given hope to supporters of "soda tax" measures.

According to a new Field Poll, only 40 percent of voters support a soda tax when first asked, but support increases dramatically to 68 percent if the proceeds are earmarked for improved school nutrition and physical activity programs.

The poll could help propel efforts in California and other states to put a soda tax on statewide ballots.

The survey found support for a tax is especially strong among Latinos, Asian-Americans and African-Americans. The poll also showed that 75 percent of registered California voters, including 85 percent of Latinos, see a link between drinking sugary sodas and a person's chance of becoming overweight or obese. But fewer voters believe energy drinks or sports drinks carry the same health risks.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/rss/ci_22586019

[MinneapolisMatt]

1. I think that's an excellent idea.

Nobody needs to be drinking that junk.

[kestrel91316]

2. Excellent idea. Soda has zero nutritional value. I drink a Coke Zero a couple times a week.

I don't mind higher taxes on it, and if people buy less as a result, that will cost society less down the road in medical costs for diabetes and obesity.

[SoapBox]

3. YES! Tax the living shit out of this garbage.

It's junk. Bottles full of empty calories and chemicals. Period.

I DO NOT want to pay for all the health issues that it creates and/or adds to people, resulting in more and more medical care.

[SheilaT]

4. Not a bad idea.

And it wouldn't affect me since I never drink the stuff.

I really wonder if a lot of the chronic health problems so very many people have might not be connected to soda, whether the full sugar ones or -- in my opinion much worse -- diet ones.

What's really scary is that very little kids drink soda and lots of it.

Some years ago, like about twenty years ago now, when I realized that my younger son, then about 8, was drinking nothing but soda, I went cold turkey and stopped buying the stuff. At the time I had maybe five in a week, but I started doing without entirely. Now, if I have a soft drink once a month it's a lot. Now that he's grown and on his own, I'm sure my son drinks soda, but probably not as constantly as do so many people.

[wpelb]

5. What would be the purpose of such a tax?

Would it be to increase the price of soda pop so that people (but especially kids) would drink less of it? Or would it be to ensure a reliable revenue stream, since most people would soon get used to paying a few more cents a day to sate their junk-drink habit?

This is why I'm always skeptical of "sin taxes." They're justified for the former purpose, but almost always implemented to fulfill the latter.