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Soda Tax?
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Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
So you're saying artificially-sweetened drinks were created as a result of a sugar tax? Was the first sugar tax implemented in the 1960's?
No the sugar tax was first implemented in 2016, and since then companies like Britvic are making more of an effort to go sugar free. Of course there have been sugar free drinks creates back in the 60’s but it seems to be a lot more common now and it’s all down to the sugar tax6 -
WinoGelato wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Sarahfaster wrote: »Do you think there should be a tax on sweet beverages like soda? or maybe even juice?
We have already implemented that here in the UK, we are paying like 18p or 24p per litre extra now depending on how much extra sugar has been added to the drink. currently the revenue has fallen due to fewer drinks containing this amount of sugar are on sale, Irn Bru have even stopped making their original full sugar drink now, and other companies like Britvic have cut sugar across their product range. I think it’s good that the government is actively trying to cut back people’s sugar intake and it has forced companies to create lower sugar versions of the drinks so we don’t feel the sting! I think obesity is caused by people eating wayy too many calories and sugar is a big factor in it, it makes me wonder if they are going to start taxing full fat products next or something!
Now, and I lived in Germany for several years after I graduated from University (many moons ago) and I had the chance to go to London numerous times on business so I LOVE A GOOD DEBATE, I would have to disagree with you.
I am of the mindset that it is NEVER a good idea for the govt to tax people to "control their behavior". It is not the govt business what I put in my body. Additionally, my concern is that the govt picks on "this group" one week...soon thereafter they pick on "another group" and so on. Eventually, they are going to pick on 6'0" @ 205lbs bald white guys in their early 50's who earn more than $XXX,XXX a year. Plus, those guys - and here comes my bias based on a lot of experience - are not nearly smart enough to get this stuff correct.
In my opinion, if I want to eat pork rinds all day long (have never had pork rinds, so no idea what those are...but they seem to be "not very healthy" - whatever that means) then that is my choice and my right. Eventually, there could be some consequences. This, logically, brings up another conversation (about "fat people paying more for health insurance"). And, potentially another conversation (should the govt implement the "Stupid Tax"?).
Live and let live. If you want to drink Soda and eat Pork Rinds all day long, then knock yourself out. Have at it! Just don't ask me for any money (in any form) to subsidize your consumption (no matter soda and pork rinds or steak and eggs). But that is an whole other conversation! :-)
Anyway, like I said, I love a good debate. I find it very interesting and engaging to have good honest conversation with people from different countries and with people of different mindsets (not suggesting that because you are from a different country that you have a different mind set). I have the neatest conversations in the common kitchen here at work.
I look forward to your thoughts on what I am suggesting. Don't be shy....you are not going to hurt my feelings.
Hey
I love a good debate too haha, so in my opinion I think that because the uks government provide a free health care service it’s important that they put measures in place, like how they’ve done, to ensure that people remain healthy. If everyone were to eat as much junk as they liked then we would have a crises and the NHS would just buckle. Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture. I don’t want to face health issues later on in life and ideally I think the NHS shouldn’t be wasted on helping people who have no self control, when there are others needing it who simply can’t help their situation
TANSTAFL.
Don't confuse something that is paid for by tax dollars as being equivalent to being free. Government provided health care is not free. Perhaps it is better than privatized systems, perhaps not...but one thing it isn't is free. Just because you don't pay for a specific doctor visit does not mean you don't pay for your health care.
What you are basically asking for is for people who are in physically poor shape due to their choices should pay more into the system than people who are more fit due to their choices. Okay....well then why not just do that directly and apply a tax on people who are overweight? Why soda? For one thing such a tax could be adjusted for income so that it wasn't an excessive burden on those who were low income which applying taxes to food and drink would not since that is a flat tax regardless of income.
I have to assume the reason that you wouldn't propose taxing obese people for being obese is that that seems wrong somehow...unethical. But you really want to punish people who are obese financially in order to help pay for their healthcare somehow so instead you propose to tax foods or drinks you feel they are likely to consume. But given that is indirect what it means is that some obese people will pay no extra money because they happen to not consume that particular item while other physically fit healthy people will end up paying extra because they just happen to be consumers of that particular item.
Choosing to drink soda doesn't mean you are obese...being obese means you are obese. So if you want to tax obesity...then tax obesity.
I do get what your saying, but the NHS is seen as a free health service because we don’t need to pay for our treatments and ambulance call out etc .. I’d rather pay more tax and NI and keep this sort of service running as it’s much more beneficial financially
I believe that people who make bad choices and binge eat, binge smoke etc are doing so at their own risk and our NHS service shouldn’t have to suffer for it .. we have it so bad to a point where no beds are available in some hospitals .. I know 100% everyone is entitled to health care no matter their situation but it’s just frustrating when it’s a drunk person, or a heavy smoker etc
Drinking soda moderately is absolutely fine, but this whole debate is on “soda tax” and it’s something I really think should be implemented in other countries, as it seems to be working here in the UK.
It is “seen as free” because you are looking at this strictly from a consumer perspective and one that shows a blatant lack of understanding of how healthcare, social policy, and economics works.
Free at point of care =/= free. There is a much bigger picture that is missed when one is looking strictly from the "how does this impact me in this immediate moment" perspective.2 -
Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
So you're saying artificially-sweetened drinks were created as a result of a sugar tax? Was the first sugar tax implemented in the 1960's?
No the sugar tax was first implemented in 2016, and since then companies like Britvic are making more of an effort to go sugar free. Of course there have been sugar free drinks creates back in the 60’s but it seems to be a lot more common now and it’s all down to the sugar tax
Do you work in the market research, R&D, or leadership teams of this company or one if its competitors? If not, how would you know that the driving force behind this shift in product portfolio is all down to the sugar tax?3 -
Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
So you're saying artificially-sweetened drinks were created as a result of a sugar tax? Was the first sugar tax implemented in the 1960's?
No the sugar tax was first implemented in 2016, and since then companies like Britvic are making more of an effort to go sugar free. Of course there have been sugar free drinks creates back in the 60’s but it seems to be a lot more common now and it’s all down to the sugar tax
Maybe things were different in the US than Britain, but here we have had waves of popularity of diet drinks since they first came out. When women were wearing leg warmers to do Jane Fonda workouts in the early 80's, they were all drinking Tab and Diet Coke. I'm 45 and most of the women I've known throughout my life have been drinking mostly diet drinks the whole time.
I would actually guess that diet drinks have become more unpopular recently due to the rise of "natural health" charlatans who fearmonger chemicals.4 -
WinoGelato wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
So you're saying artificially-sweetened drinks were created as a result of a sugar tax? Was the first sugar tax implemented in the 1960's?
No the sugar tax was first implemented in 2016, and since then companies like Britvic are making more of an effort to go sugar free. Of course there have been sugar free drinks creates back in the 60’s but it seems to be a lot more common now and it’s all down to the sugar tax
Do you work in the market research, R&D, or leadership teams of this company or one if its competitors? If not, how would you know that the driving force behind this shift in product portfolio is all down to the sugar tax?
No ... and I don’t need to work in that industry to know that companies are making more and more sugar free drinks due to sugar tax. It’s simply their reaction to the newish tax that’s come out13 -
Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
So you're saying artificially-sweetened drinks were created as a result of a sugar tax? Was the first sugar tax implemented in the 1960's?
No the sugar tax was first implemented in 2016, and since then companies like Britvic are making more of an effort to go sugar free. Of course there have been sugar free drinks creates back in the 60’s but it seems to be a lot more common now and it’s all down to the sugar tax
Maybe things were different in the US than Britain, but here we have had waves of popularity of diet drinks since they first came out. When women were wearing leg warmers to do Jane Fonda workouts in the early 80's, they were all drinking Tab and Diet Coke. I'm 45 and most of the women I've known throughout my life have been drinking mostly diet drinks the whole time.
I would actually guess that diet drinks have become more unpopular recently due to the rise of "natural health" charlatans who fearmonger chemicals.Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
So you're saying artificially-sweetened drinks were created as a result of a sugar tax? Was the first sugar tax implemented in the 1960's?
No the sugar tax was first implemented in 2016, and since then companies like Britvic are making more of an effort to go sugar free. Of course there have been sugar free drinks creates back in the 60’s but it seems to be a lot more common now and it’s all down to the sugar tax
Maybe things were different in the US than Britain, but here we have had waves of popularity of diet drinks since they first came out. When women were wearing leg warmers to do Jane Fonda workouts in the early 80's, they were all drinking Tab and Diet Coke. I'm 45 and most of the women I've known throughout my life have been drinking mostly diet drinks the whole time.
I would actually guess that diet drinks have become more unpopular recently due to the rise of "natural health" charlatans who fearmonger chemicals.
Yeah things probably were more difficult. Like here in the uk I would say diet drinks are becoming more popular now since the tax.5 -
WinoGelato wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Aaron_K123 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Sarahfaster wrote: »Do you think there should be a tax on sweet beverages like soda? or maybe even juice?
We have already implemented that here in the UK, we are paying like 18p or 24p per litre extra now depending on how much extra sugar has been added to the drink. currently the revenue has fallen due to fewer drinks containing this amount of sugar are on sale, Irn Bru have even stopped making their original full sugar drink now, and other companies like Britvic have cut sugar across their product range. I think it’s good that the government is actively trying to cut back people’s sugar intake and it has forced companies to create lower sugar versions of the drinks so we don’t feel the sting! I think obesity is caused by people eating wayy too many calories and sugar is a big factor in it, it makes me wonder if they are going to start taxing full fat products next or something!
Now, and I lived in Germany for several years after I graduated from University (many moons ago) and I had the chance to go to London numerous times on business so I LOVE A GOOD DEBATE, I would have to disagree with you.
I am of the mindset that it is NEVER a good idea for the govt to tax people to "control their behavior". It is not the govt business what I put in my body. Additionally, my concern is that the govt picks on "this group" one week...soon thereafter they pick on "another group" and so on. Eventually, they are going to pick on 6'0" @ 205lbs bald white guys in their early 50's who earn more than $XXX,XXX a year. Plus, those guys - and here comes my bias based on a lot of experience - are not nearly smart enough to get this stuff correct.
In my opinion, if I want to eat pork rinds all day long (have never had pork rinds, so no idea what those are...but they seem to be "not very healthy" - whatever that means) then that is my choice and my right. Eventually, there could be some consequences. This, logically, brings up another conversation (about "fat people paying more for health insurance"). And, potentially another conversation (should the govt implement the "Stupid Tax"?).
Live and let live. If you want to drink Soda and eat Pork Rinds all day long, then knock yourself out. Have at it! Just don't ask me for any money (in any form) to subsidize your consumption (no matter soda and pork rinds or steak and eggs). But that is an whole other conversation! :-)
Anyway, like I said, I love a good debate. I find it very interesting and engaging to have good honest conversation with people from different countries and with people of different mindsets (not suggesting that because you are from a different country that you have a different mind set). I have the neatest conversations in the common kitchen here at work.
I look forward to your thoughts on what I am suggesting. Don't be shy....you are not going to hurt my feelings.
Hey I love a good debate too haha, so in my opinion I think that because the uks government provide a free health care service it’s important that they put measures in place, like how they’ve done, to ensure that people remain healthy. If everyone were to eat as much junk as they liked then we would have a crises and the NHS would just buckle. Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture. I don’t want to face health issues later on in life and ideally I think the NHS shouldn’t be wasted on helping people who have no self control, when there are others needing it who simply can’t help their situation
TANSTAFL.
Don't confuse something that is paid for by tax dollars as being equivalent to being free. Government provided health care is not free. Perhaps it is better than privatized systems, perhaps not...but one thing it isn't is free. Just because you don't pay for a specific doctor visit does not mean you don't pay for your health care.
What you are basically asking for is for people who are in physically poor shape due to their choices should pay more into the system than people who are more fit due to their choices. Okay....well then why not just do that directly and apply a tax on people who are overweight? Why soda? For one thing such a tax could be adjusted for income so that it wasn't an excessive burden on those who were low income which applying taxes to food and drink would not since that is a flat tax regardless of income.
I have to assume the reason that you wouldn't propose taxing obese people for being obese is that that seems wrong somehow...unethical. But you really want to punish people who are obese financially in order to help pay for their healthcare somehow so instead you propose to tax foods or drinks you feel they are likely to consume. But given that is indirect what it means is that some obese people will pay no extra money because they happen to not consume that particular item while other physically fit healthy people will end up paying extra because they just happen to be consumers of that particular item.
Choosing to drink soda doesn't mean you are obese...being obese means you are obese. So if you want to tax obesity...then tax obesity.
I do get what your saying, but the NHS is seen as a free health service because we don’t need to pay for our treatments and ambulance call out etc .. I’d rather pay more tax and NI and keep this sort of service running as it’s much more beneficial financially
I believe that people who make bad choices and binge eat, binge smoke etc are doing so at their own risk and our NHS service shouldn’t have to suffer for it .. we have it so bad to a point where no beds are available in some hospitals .. I know 100% everyone is entitled to health care no matter their situation but it’s just frustrating when it’s a drunk person, or a heavy smoker etc
Drinking soda moderately is absolutely fine, but this whole debate is on “soda tax” and it’s something I really think should be implemented in other countries, as it seems to be working here in the UK.
It is “seen as free” because you are looking at this strictly from a consumer perspective and one that shows a blatant lack of understanding of how healthcare, social policy, and economics works.
No it’s seen as free because it’s free ... we don’t pay for any of our treatments so it’s free! I pay my tax and NI and I’m glad that it goes towards such a service8 -
nutmegoreo wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »nutmegoreo wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »nutmegoreo wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Sarahfaster wrote: »Do you think there should be a tax on sweet beverages like soda? or maybe even juice?
We have already implemented that here in the UK, we are paying like 18p or 24p per litre extra now depending on how much extra sugar has been added to the drink. currently the revenue has fallen due to fewer drinks containing this amount of sugar are on sale, Irn Bru have even stopped making their original full sugar drink now, and other companies like Britvic have cut sugar across their product range. I think it’s good that the government is actively trying to cut back people’s sugar intake and it has forced companies to create lower sugar versions of the drinks so we don’t feel the sting! I think obesity is caused by people eating wayy too many calories and sugar is a big factor in it, it makes me wonder if they are going to start taxing full fat products next or something!
Now, and I lived in Germany for several years after I graduated from University (many moons ago) and I had the chance to go to London numerous times on business so I LOVE A GOOD DEBATE, I would have to disagree with you.
I am of the mindset that it is NEVER a good idea for the govt to tax people to "control their behavior". It is not the govt business what I put in my body. Additionally, my concern is that the govt picks on "this group" one week...soon thereafter they pick on "another group" and so on. Eventually, they are going to pick on 6'0" @ 205lbs bald white guys in their early 50's who earn more than $XXX,XXX a year. Plus, those guys - and here comes my bias based on a lot of experience - are not nearly smart enough to get this stuff correct.
In my opinion, if I want to eat pork rinds all day long (have never had pork rinds, so no idea what those are...but they seem to be "not very healthy" - whatever that means) then that is my choice and my right. Eventually, there could be some consequences. This, logically, brings up another conversation (about "fat people paying more for health insurance"). And, potentially another conversation (should the govt implement the "Stupid Tax"?).
Live and let live. If you want to drink Soda and eat Pork Rinds all day long, then knock yourself out. Have at it! Just don't ask me for any money (in any form) to subsidize your consumption (no matter soda and pork rinds or steak and eggs). But that is an whole other conversation! :-)
Anyway, like I said, I love a good debate. I find it very interesting and engaging to have good honest conversation with people from different countries and with people of different mindsets (not suggesting that because you are from a different country that you have a different mind set). I have the neatest conversations in the common kitchen here at work.
I look forward to your thoughts on what I am suggesting. Don't be shy....you are not going to hurt my feelings.
Hey I love a good debate too haha, so in my opinion I think that because the uks government provide a free health care service it’s important that they put measures in place, like how they’ve done, to ensure that people remain healthy. If everyone were to eat as much junk as they liked then we would have a crises and the NHS would just buckle. Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture. I don’t want to face health issues later on in life and ideally I think the NHS shouldn’t be wasted on helping people who have no self control, when there are others needing it who simply can’t help their situation
You keep saying this as if they don't already exist.
It's been a long time since I've studied the NHS. I completed a comparative study of three different health care systems, but this would have been about 7 years ago. My understanding at that time was that doctors were incentivized to improve their patient health markers. Which is a very interesting approach to health improvement and harm reduction, which could certainly help reduce the downstream costs of a system by front loading into health promotion focus. Efficacy of how this has been implemented in the NHS is a completely different conversation. Imposing a sugar tax does nothing to educate people.
I have actually mentioned that it’s already been implemented in the UK so I’m very aware that it exists imposing a sugar tax actually forces people into buying sugar free versions which will help towards the bigger picture of obesity etc
First, it doesn't force people to do anything. Second, what makes you think that if people are likely to over consume calories that they won't replace high sugar drinks with high calorie foods?
Well it kind of does .. I’m sure as hell not paying extra for high sugar drinks when I can get sugar free versions cheaper
I'm sorry that your income is such that 8p is your breaking point.
People are drawn to lower costs. In the long run if you drank say .. 5 cans of coke a day .. every day .. this 8p difference would make a slight difference0 -
Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
Sugar-free soda existed before this though.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
Sugar-free soda existed before this though.
Yes I know, it’s been around since the 60’s but a lot more so now in the UK since we introduced our sugar tax
0 -
Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
Sugar-free soda existed before this though.
Yes I know, it’s been around since the 60’s but a lot more so now in the UK since we introduced our sugar tax
Well, we have tons of diet sodas here in the US and not many areas have a soda tax. I'm not sure what you're seeing is related to the tax. It may be a side effect of people becoming aware of the rising obesity rate and wanting to consume less sugar.3 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
Sugar-free soda existed before this though.
Yes I know, it’s been around since the 60’s but a lot more so now in the UK since we introduced our sugar tax
Well, we have tons of diet sodas here in the US and not many areas have a soda tax. I'm not sure what you're seeing is related to the tax. It may be a side effect of people becoming aware of the rising obesity rate and wanting to consume less sugar.
I think it’s a mixture of both in the UK, a load more companies are changing their recipes to have less sugar etc because of the tax so more is available here1 -
Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
Sugar-free soda existed before this though.
Yes I know, it’s been around since the 60’s but a lot more so now in the UK since we introduced our sugar tax
Well, we have tons of diet sodas here in the US and not many areas have a soda tax. I'm not sure what you're seeing is related to the tax. It may be a side effect of people becoming aware of the rising obesity rate and wanting to consume less sugar.
I think it’s a mixture of both in the UK, a load more companies are changing their recipes to have less sugar etc because of the tax so more is available here
Is this based on anything besides your personal observations?5 -
I don't necessarily think there should be a tax on sugary drinks but I do think there should be subsidies to farmers and as much advertising for fresh fruits and vegetables as there are for dairy, beef, poultry, and pork.1
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In the UK, bars and restaurants are changing coke/lemonade in the taps to diet, because otherwise they have to put the prices up. Fast food places will give you a diet as standard now or charge you a surcharge if you want the full-sugar alternative. The diet versions existed before, but because theyre x% cheaper now, they're now served as the norm. Whereas in the past, you had to explicitly ask for a diet soda, you're now given a diet soda and have to explicitly ask (and pay more) for the fullsugar version. Obviously it makes little, to no, difference in a store.0
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janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
Sugar-free soda existed before this though.
Yes I know, it’s been around since the 60’s but a lot more so now in the UK since we introduced our sugar tax
Well, we have tons of diet sodas here in the US and not many areas have a soda tax. I'm not sure what you're seeing is related to the tax. It may be a side effect of people becoming aware of the rising obesity rate and wanting to consume less sugar.
I think it’s a mixture of both in the UK, a load more companies are changing their recipes to have less sugar etc because of the tax so more is available here
Is this based on anything besides your personal observations?
It’s based on what I’m seeing and experiencing in the UK, diet soda is cheaper than full sugar soda .. that’s a fact. And of course based on this new tax we are finding so much more diet soda ..1 -
Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
Sugar-free soda existed before this though.
Yes I know, it’s been around since the 60’s but a lot more so now in the UK since we introduced our sugar tax
Well, we have tons of diet sodas here in the US and not many areas have a soda tax. I'm not sure what you're seeing is related to the tax. It may be a side effect of people becoming aware of the rising obesity rate and wanting to consume less sugar.
I think it’s a mixture of both in the UK, a load more companies are changing their recipes to have less sugar etc because of the tax so more is available here
Is this based on anything besides your personal observations?
It’s based on what I’m seeing and experiencing in the UK, diet soda is cheaper than full sugar soda .. that’s a fact. And of course based on this new tax we are finding so much more diet soda ..
Nobody is disputing that diet or reduced sugar soda is now cheaper in the UK. What I'm asking for is whether there is any evidence for the rest of your claims beyond your personal observations.
You said that companies were forced to create diet sodas due to this tax ("it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them."). Yet the UK had diet soda before the tax. So what exact changes are you referring to here?4 -
Mandylou19912014 wrote: »nutmegoreo wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »nutmegoreo wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »nutmegoreo wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »LiftHeavyThings27105 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Sarahfaster wrote: »Do you think there should be a tax on sweet beverages like soda? or maybe even juice?
We have already implemented that here in the UK, we are paying like 18p or 24p per litre extra now depending on how much extra sugar has been added to the drink. currently the revenue has fallen due to fewer drinks containing this amount of sugar are on sale, Irn Bru have even stopped making their original full sugar drink now, and other companies like Britvic have cut sugar across their product range. I think it’s good that the government is actively trying to cut back people’s sugar intake and it has forced companies to create lower sugar versions of the drinks so we don’t feel the sting! I think obesity is caused by people eating wayy too many calories and sugar is a big factor in it, it makes me wonder if they are going to start taxing full fat products next or something!
Now, and I lived in Germany for several years after I graduated from University (many moons ago) and I had the chance to go to London numerous times on business so I LOVE A GOOD DEBATE, I would have to disagree with you.
I am of the mindset that it is NEVER a good idea for the govt to tax people to "control their behavior". It is not the govt business what I put in my body. Additionally, my concern is that the govt picks on "this group" one week...soon thereafter they pick on "another group" and so on. Eventually, they are going to pick on 6'0" @ 205lbs bald white guys in their early 50's who earn more than $XXX,XXX a year. Plus, those guys - and here comes my bias based on a lot of experience - are not nearly smart enough to get this stuff correct.
In my opinion, if I want to eat pork rinds all day long (have never had pork rinds, so no idea what those are...but they seem to be "not very healthy" - whatever that means) then that is my choice and my right. Eventually, there could be some consequences. This, logically, brings up another conversation (about "fat people paying more for health insurance"). And, potentially another conversation (should the govt implement the "Stupid Tax"?).
Live and let live. If you want to drink Soda and eat Pork Rinds all day long, then knock yourself out. Have at it! Just don't ask me for any money (in any form) to subsidize your consumption (no matter soda and pork rinds or steak and eggs). But that is an whole other conversation! :-)
Anyway, like I said, I love a good debate. I find it very interesting and engaging to have good honest conversation with people from different countries and with people of different mindsets (not suggesting that because you are from a different country that you have a different mind set). I have the neatest conversations in the common kitchen here at work.
I look forward to your thoughts on what I am suggesting. Don't be shy....you are not going to hurt my feelings.
Hey I love a good debate too haha, so in my opinion I think that because the uks government provide a free health care service it’s important that they put measures in place, like how they’ve done, to ensure that people remain healthy. If everyone were to eat as much junk as they liked then we would have a crises and the NHS would just buckle. Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture. I don’t want to face health issues later on in life and ideally I think the NHS shouldn’t be wasted on helping people who have no self control, when there are others needing it who simply can’t help their situation
You keep saying this as if they don't already exist.
It's been a long time since I've studied the NHS. I completed a comparative study of three different health care systems, but this would have been about 7 years ago. My understanding at that time was that doctors were incentivized to improve their patient health markers. Which is a very interesting approach to health improvement and harm reduction, which could certainly help reduce the downstream costs of a system by front loading into health promotion focus. Efficacy of how this has been implemented in the NHS is a completely different conversation. Imposing a sugar tax does nothing to educate people.
I have actually mentioned that it’s already been implemented in the UK so I’m very aware that it exists imposing a sugar tax actually forces people into buying sugar free versions which will help towards the bigger picture of obesity etc
First, it doesn't force people to do anything. Second, what makes you think that if people are likely to over consume calories that they won't replace high sugar drinks with high calorie foods?
Well it kind of does .. I’m sure as hell not paying extra for high sugar drinks when I can get sugar free versions cheaper
I'm sorry that your income is such that 8p is your breaking point.
People are drawn to lower costs. In the long run if you drank say .. 5 cans of coke a day .. every day .. this 8p difference would make a slight difference
So that's why Coke and Pepsi were run out of business by generic brands.
11 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
Sugar-free soda existed before this though.
Yes I know, it’s been around since the 60’s but a lot more so now in the UK since we introduced our sugar tax
Well, we have tons of diet sodas here in the US and not many areas have a soda tax. I'm not sure what you're seeing is related to the tax. It may be a side effect of people becoming aware of the rising obesity rate and wanting to consume less sugar.
I think it’s a mixture of both in the UK, a load more companies are changing their recipes to have less sugar etc because of the tax so more is available here
Is this based on anything besides your personal observations?
It’s based on what I’m seeing and experiencing in the UK, diet soda is cheaper than full sugar soda .. that’s a fact. And of course based on this new tax we are finding so much more diet soda ..
Nobody is disputing that diet or reduced sugar soda is now cheaper in the UK. What I'm asking for is whether there is any evidence for the rest of your claims beyond your personal observations.
You said that companies were forced to create diet sodas due to this tax ("it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them."). Yet the UK had diet soda before the tax. So what exact changes are you referring to here?
An article in the bbc quoted that big manufacturers were creating sugar free versions as “They don't want their customers to have to fork out more for their favourite soft drinks from 6 April” which is when our sugar tax came into play2 -
Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »Mandylou19912014 wrote: »...Creating sugar free drinks won’t tackle the whole problem but it will help towards the bigger picture...
If only such a thing existed.
If only.
My point is that it does exist (which you know but wanted to be sarcastic .. nice one ..) and it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them .. which is why I feel that there should be sugar tax elsewhere
Sugar-free soda existed before this though.
Yes I know, it’s been around since the 60’s but a lot more so now in the UK since we introduced our sugar tax
Well, we have tons of diet sodas here in the US and not many areas have a soda tax. I'm not sure what you're seeing is related to the tax. It may be a side effect of people becoming aware of the rising obesity rate and wanting to consume less sugar.
I think it’s a mixture of both in the UK, a load more companies are changing their recipes to have less sugar etc because of the tax so more is available here
Is this based on anything besides your personal observations?
It’s based on what I’m seeing and experiencing in the UK, diet soda is cheaper than full sugar soda .. that’s a fact. And of course based on this new tax we are finding so much more diet soda ..
Nobody is disputing that diet or reduced sugar soda is now cheaper in the UK. What I'm asking for is whether there is any evidence for the rest of your claims beyond your personal observations.
You said that companies were forced to create diet sodas due to this tax ("it exists because sugar tax happened and companies were forced to create them."). Yet the UK had diet soda before the tax. So what exact changes are you referring to here?
An article in the bbc quoted that big manufacturers were creating sugar free versions as “They don't want their customers to have to fork out more for their favourite soft drinks from 6 April” which is when our sugar tax came into play
What major soda brands do you guys have over there? (I can't think of any major ones in the US that haven't had sugar-free out for decades).1
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