Philly community college students look at early effects of soda tax
A survey by students at Philadelphia Community College on the city’s sweetened beverage tax found 46 percent of respondents had cut back on consumption of such drinks and a third said they had made purchases outside the city to avoid the tax.
The survey of 1,320 people aged 14 and older was conducted by students in a psychology class taught by associate professor Richard Frei. Students presented findings on Monday from the month-long survey, which aimed at capturing attitudes and drinking habits related to the 1.5-per-ounce levy on sweetened beverages which went into effect in January.
While the survey won’t be published in any official capacity, it offers some independent analysis of the impact of the tax, Frei said. He wants to collect more responses over the Spring and Summer.
“The goal is not to advocate, the goal is to use research to assess,” Frei said following Monday's presentation at the college. “The whole point of the project was to give students an opportunity to engage in critical thinking by giving them information about different aspects of this debate.”
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/Psychology-students-look-at-early-effects-of-soda-tax.html
