Higher taxes should be imposed on soft drinks and junk food - Essay Example

Tax on Soft Drinks and Junk Food Junk foods and soft drinks are energy intense foods that are common in adolescents and are likely to put them in high risks of obesity. Obesity has been a significant problem with the government at the forefront of reversing its trends. Health practitioners and government health advocacy groups have raised an alarm about its escalating nature, but this does not seem enough. Therefore, governments have decided to take more appropriate measures in regards to reducing the consumption of soft drinks and junk food. States have put policies that impose taxes on the junk foods and soft drinks. This will create awareness to the societies as increased prices on the foods and drinks will hinder them from consuming these fast food. The paper examines the effects of healthy eating and imposition of taxes on junk foods and soft drinks. Child obesity in the United States has posed a serious problem in children. Obesity rates are elevated among United States children; there have been increased rates of heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Restaurants and food industry allude to personal choice and lack of exercise. Reports indicate that unhealthy foods and drinks are cheaper, readily available and heavily marketable than healthy foods (Smith 696). Fast foods have changed our eating habits and the entire lifestyles. In early days, families were having their meals together which enable them have quality time with all the family members. The introduction of the fast-food industry has changed everything as people have found a faster and an easy way of eating. Because of this, family dinners are not often and this equal to neglecting of family time (Smith 696). Adolescents have the widest use of the junk foods and soft drinks. The most significant change in American diets for the past decades is the food taken away from home. This change has increased the food expenses by 14 percent. Therefore, there is a possibility that next generations would tend to be separated from the families and traditional meals which are healthier. Another reason that calls for imposing taxes on the junk foods and soft drinks is the economic reasons. While governments are working on creating awareness about obesity and its harmful effects, the fast-food industry is on the other hand making budgets for advertisement. This shows information flow problem between the producers and consumers since the U.S government has failed in response to market failure. On one hand the government is increasing its expense to advocate healthy eating while, on the other hand, there are massive advertisements in the fast-food industry that may alter consumer’s knowledge about junk foods and soft drinks. Even if the government increases taxes on the junk foods and drinks, some people will be will to pay more for the prices increases. Economic analyzers have predicted that those who consume junk foods will pay more for the increased prices as a result of increased taxes in the industry. Consumption of these foods and drinks will reduce after imposing a specific level of excise tax. Junk foods and soft drinks are known for large sugar levels that fatten people rapidly. The excess sugars are likely to cause heart diseases and laziness. Laziness is a serious problem in government perspective as people will be unproductive and will bring the country’s economy down (Smith 700). Some people believe that obesity is hereditary in the sense that it is caused by genetic factors. These people argue that imposing higher taxes on to the industry will not affect the consumption of the junk foods and soft drinks as people will pay more. Low –income adolescents’ perception is that their obesity problems are family related while high-income teenagers blame their emotional problems and genetic factors. Some researchers say that obesity is as a result of imbalanced and inaccurate intake of energy that results in the excess stock of energy. It is not easy to differentiate between the environmental and genetics factors. Genetic factors can also be a source of obesity, but it should not be seen as the primary cause. So, that does not imply that tax should not be imposed on junk foods and soft drinks as they are the primary basis of obesity. Otherwise, increased taxes prices on the junk food will be increased by eight percent. It will also increase one peso on a liter of soft drinks which Mexicans consume in large quantities (Smith 700). The money that is raised from the increased taxes is put in health programs and boost access to drinking water in schools. On top of increased taxation, the government is also introducing a nutritional program for healthier foods in the supermarkets. Obesity campaigners all over the world are looking forward to junk food and soft drinks taxes as a method of encouraging people to consume healthier foods. A tax on junk foods and soft drinks is a good government policy. This is because; obesity is caused by increased consumption of calories over what we burn. The excess calories are whether, in the form of protein, fat or carbohydrates are stored as fats in the body. These fats increase chances for heart diseases. For this reason, anti-obesity tax methods are intended to avoid targeting the extensive nutrients group. Rather, they target fast foods, processed food, and soft drinks (Smith 700). US have been facing overwhelming critics from the soft drinks corporations for raising the taxes on sugary drinks. They argue that they have spent millions of dollars on the business and advertisements. In addition, the price increase on these types of foods has been opposed by the low-income earners despite their knowledge of the problems caused by the foods. Thus, if the government wants to reduce the obesity-related problems, it is required to address the problem from its source that is production and marketing of fast-foods. Evidence from AHA (American Heart Association) reveals that food taxes, subsidized healthy foods, restrictions on component sizes, restriction on advertising unhealthy foods and media operations to promote good diet and exercise have greatly reduced the consumption of fast foods (Smith 702). I agree that higher taxes should be imposed fast foods to encourage healthy eating. Junk foods and soft drinks have both social and economic effects on the society. Additionally, the obesity epidemic is a serious problem. Despite the fact that obesity causative factors are multifactorial, the adverse impacts of junk foods and soft drinks cannot be ignored. Higher taxes should be obligatory on junk foods and soft drinks. The higher taxes imposed on soft drinks and junks foods, a more healthy society we have. Works cited Smith, F Andrew. Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat [2 Volumes]: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat. California: ABC-CLIO, 2011. Read More