The next tax cash cow – anything bad for your health

First it was cigarettes after all they are suppose to be responsible for being a drain on the healthcare system and such an easy target (even though in 2007-2008 cigarette taxes netted the Canadian government $11 billion). Not that the health-cost door has been opened it now makes way for all kinds of things to start being the next great tax pig at the trough.

Right now in the US the debate is going on about how a 7 cent take on soda pop could net individual states with billions of extra money

The Center for Science in the Public Interest believes that many states might be able to close gaps in their budgets by placing a tax on soda and other sugary drinks.

The health advocacy group released a study this week that estimates budget-strapped states — including California — could generate a combined $10 billion a year by levying a tax of 7 cents per 12-ounce can of Coke or other beverage. Currently, 25 states impose special taxes on sugary drinks.

The group, which is lobbying for such taxes and has suggested a national excise tax on sugared drinks, said raising the price of the beverages would reduce consumption. It believes that would lower the incidence of obesity, diabetes and other costly chronic diseases.

Source: LA Times – Soda tax could close states’ budget gaps, health advocacy group says

Of course there is the big incentive – the same as when cigarette smokers were made out to be the worst thing to happen since Genghis Khan – people’s health. After all we all know how drinking all that sugared carbonated crap is the cause of so many of our health woes. One has to wonder though if these are the types of excuses being used to tell us what we can put into our bodies how long will it be before we see an additional McDonalds tax or a KFC tax after all aren’t all those foods just as responsible for obesity and just about any other health woe you want to name.

Interestingly enough the opponents to such taxes see it as yet another form of government intrusion on personal choice. Funny they never said that when it came t o smoking.