Fizzy Drinks Might get Costlier Soon with New Tax Laws
San Francisco and Berkeley are two of the most progressive cities in America and they are right near each other. And these are also the two cities in the country aiming to be the first to levy taxes on sugary drinks and sodas. The obesity scare in America is such that almost every processed food and beverage item has come under the scanner of late. And sugary drinks have been at the top of the hate pyramid for too long by so many illogical Americans that have no issue with the nation’s debt or how many people are unemployed.
The recent tax laws that the two cities have been trying to impose would levy a per-ounce tax on these beverages, all in an effort to reduce consumption by the public. There is support at some levels for this move, while the industry is understandably opposed to it. The question now is, will the taxes be as easy to levy in reality as on paper? And will adding to the cost of a sugary drink make a healthier country?
Go as the cigarette smokers on that one!
Health Advocates Support the Tax law
Health advocates and tax lawyers who support the idea of a healthier America are all for the taxes. Given the Bay Area’s reputation for liberal politics, it will indeed be a big move if the same liberal minded leaders were to pass a tax law. The industry fears that if San Fran has the vote, then the rest of America too will jump on the bandwagon and tax lawyers will be beating at its doorsteps wondering when will these high tax states ever figure out why their economies stink so bad!
On the other hand, if the two cities fail to pass the tax law or show a modicum of control over the soda and sugary drinks industry, then it means freedom has prevailed. If not passed now, tax lawyers and experts say that the law could be dead until the liberals of bankrupt LA, New York, and Chicago feel like making life harder on the people that actually have decided to continue living in those cities.
More Taxes; Less Jobs
Political consultant Larry Tramutola, who is handling the political campaign for garnering support for the tax in Berkeley, has said that the industry is trying its hardest to beat the tax in San Fran and Berkeley. If the tax law is not passed in these two cities, no other city would try to take on the beverage companies. The stakes are high, but the odds don’t seem to favor the tax supporters.
In the last four years, 30 taxes have been introduced across the country in an effort to curb soda consumption. But of these only a few have gained traction and none have been effective so far. Says Chris Gindlesperger, the spokesman for the American Beverage Association, that the failures so far have proved that the idea of a tax on sugary drinks does not hold support among the masses.
Tax Law Up for Vote in November
The proposal for the new law which asks for two-cent-per-ounce tax on all sugary drinks except natural fruit drinks and juices (which have no added sugar) will go to vote in November. Until then, it is up to the support groups to garner attention towards the cause, and beat the efforts of the industry moguls trying to curb the law from coming into effect.
