Sugary drink tax

Sugary Drink Tax

Sugary drink tax (pronunciation: /ˈʃʊɡəri drɪŋk tæks/), also known as soda tax or sweetened beverage tax (SBT), is a tax or surcharge designed to reduce consumption of drinks with added sugar. Drinks covered under a sugary drink tax often include soda, sports drinks, and sweetened iced tea.

Etymology

The term "sugary drink tax" is derived from the words "sugar", referring to the sweet substance extracted from various plants, especially the sugar cane and sugar beet, "drink", referring to a liquid that can be swallowed as refreshment or nourishment, and "tax", a compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits, or added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions.

History

The concept of a sugary drink tax has been proposed by health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to curb the consumption of sugary drinks, which are linked to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. The first city in the United States to pass a sugary drink tax was Berkeley, California in 2014.

Implementation

The implementation of a sugary drink tax varies by country and region. In some areas, the tax is levied on the volume of the beverage (per ounce), while in others, it is based on the amount of sugar in the beverage. The revenue generated from the tax is often used to fund public health initiatives.

Controversy

The sugary drink tax has been a subject of controversy. Supporters argue that it can help reduce the consumption of unhealthy drinks and improve public health. Critics, however, argue that it is a regressive tax that disproportionately affects low-income individuals and small businesses.

Related Terms

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Public Health
• Regressive Tax

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Sugary drink tax
• Wikipedia's article - Sugary drink tax

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