Soda tax

[TripletDaddy]

Why a fast food tax? Is there some kind of cost to society for me getting a club sandwich for lunch?

What am I missing here?

fast food consumption leads to obesity. obesity leads to higher health care costs. I think that is the general idea.

EDIT: see MRD's post above. whoops!

[Mormon Red Death]

I am all for these things...fast food, alcohol, cigarettes, soda, and junk food. Tax it all. They all contribute to the escalating costs of health care.

A tax credit for joining a gym would be nice, but probably so small as to be insignificant. How much does it cost to join a gym? In some cases, free.

I'm all about incentives. If enough people are incentivized to join gyms the collective health of population gets better. I would even go one step further and give tax deductions/credits for preventative medicine.

[beelzebabette]

Why a fast food tax? Is there some kind of cost to society for me getting a club sandwich for lunch?

What am I missing here?

Shall we have everyone step on a scale for a BMI calculation before stepping up to the counter at McDonald's to see who has to pay the fast food tax? How many club sandwiches/cigarettes/cognac until you start to see problems? Possibly never, but we address the behavior with the latter two.

[beefytee]

The statistics do not support you, last I checked. Also there's more to it than discouragement - externalities do exist in many cases and in this sphere specifically. Very large externalities at that.

I may quibble with the earmarking (or lack thereof) of the tax revenues but not the concept.

Besides that, the other justification is to pay for the social costs covered by the government that these things incur.

[landpoke]

As long as they don't start taxing pop.

[Pheidippides]

Besides that, the other justification is to pay for the social costs covered by the government that these things incur.

Did i misuse the term externality? Because that's what I meant (well, something broader than that).

[TheBYUGuy]

Sure there is... Fast food is linked to obesity and obesity is well documented as a problem for society. Like I said I would tax fast food and snacks and treats.

Sincerely, Jarid


Is it really that simple? Getting food on the way home rather than preparing it in your kitchen makes you fat?

Why would you tax a salad from McDonald's or a baked potato from Wendy's, but you wouldn't tax the 16-oz. ribeye with steak fries that someone gets at a steakhouse?

What about doctors who "prescribe" a daily Filet-o-fish sandwich for people who have high cholesterol and don't otherwise eat out a lot?

[Pheidippides]

Sincerely, Jarid


Is it really that simple? Getting food on the way home rather than preparing it in your kitchen makes you fat?

Why would you tax a salad from McDonald's or a baked potato from Wendy's, but you wouldn't tax the 16-oz. ribeye with steak fries that someone gets at a steakhouse?

What about doctors who "prescribe" a daily Filet-o-fish sandwich for people who have high cholesterol and don't otherwise eat out a lot?

Actually, studies indicate that it is that simple. Although I think you could easily carve certain things out from the tax - they do this with certain foodstuffs in certain states, where milk, bread, eggs, etc. are not taxed. I think.

Also, I cannot believe that you are not seeing the same problem I am, especially w/r/t McDonald's. Maybe I will have to show you my super-secret-scary way home from work one of these days - it will change your mind!

[Jarid in Cedar]

Sincerely, Jarid


Is it really that simple? Getting food on the way home rather than preparing it in your kitchen makes you fat?

Why would you tax a salad from McDonald's or a baked potato from Wendy's, but you wouldn't tax the 16-oz. ribeye with steak fries that someone gets at a steakhouse?

What about doctors who "prescribe" a daily Filet-o-fish sandwich for people who have high cholesterol and don't otherwise eat out a lot?

I just like that I have corrupted everyones spelling of Jarid.

Take that waup!

[TripletDaddy]

Shall we have everyone step on a scale for a BMI calculation before stepping up to the counter at McDonald's to see who has to pay the fast food tax? How many club sandwiches/cigarettes/cognac until you start to see problems? Possibly never, but we address the behavior with the latter two.

maybe I am missing your point, but BMI isn't really an issue, is it? Fast food is unhealthy, regardless of your daily caloric intake. In general, it contributes to the obesity levels in the country (as does a sedentary lifestyle and many other factors). everyone should pay the tax, regardless of your BMI or weight.

You pay the cigarette tax whether you are addicted to cigarettes or trying your first one. Why not fast food?

[Mormon Red Death]

Sincerely, Jarid


Is it really that simple? Getting food on the way home rather than preparing it in your kitchen makes you fat?

Why would you tax a salad from McDonald's or a baked potato from Wendy's, but you wouldn't tax the 16-oz. ribeye with steak fries that someone gets at a steakhouse?

What about doctors who "prescribe" a daily Filet-o-fish sandwich for people who have high cholesterol and don't otherwise eat out a lot?

Fine.. Have a set % tax for all restraunts.

[JohnnyLingo]

I love the smell of big government in the morning.

Government takes over healthcare, then starts to control what we eat and drink. Where does this end?

[TheBYUGuy]

Actually, studies indicate that it is that simple. Although I think you could easily carve certain things out from the tax - they do this with certain foodstuffs in certain states, where milk, bread, eggs, etc. are not taxed. I think.

Also, I cannot believe that you are not seeing the same problem I am, especially w/r/t McDonald's. Maybe I will have to show you my super-secret-scary way home from work one of these days - it will change your mind!

Food is not taxed at grocery stores in Texas.

There has to be a better way than a blanket fast food tax. Maybe a tax on all restaurants. Maybe a tax on cheeseburgers and fries, but not on vegetarian sandwich.

To me, if you say you want to tax fast food, you're saying you want to tax convenience.

BTW, taxing fast food would have no effect on my behavior. I would still get a Whopper or Whataburger 1-3 times per month when we are out and don't want to make the kids wait for dinner.

[Donuthole]

Why not fast food?

Because you couldn't just stop at fast food. Most of the food you eat in fine restaurants is just as unhealthy as fast food, if not moreso.

[beelzebabette]

maybe I am missing your point, but BMI isn't really an issue, is it? Fast food is unhealthy, regardless of your daily caloric intake. In general, it contributes to the obesity levels in the country (as does a sedentary lifestyle and many other factors). everyone should pay the tax, regardless of your BMI or weight.

You pay the cigarette tax whether you are addicted to cigarettes or trying your first one. Why not fast food?

I'm saying it's only possible to tax across the board if you want to try to address the correlation between fast food & increased health care costs as well as suggesting that thinking bad dietary habits that don't manifest problems immediately aren't a problem is a position to reconsider.