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Eugene

(61,963 posts)
Tue Oct 11, 2016, 10:19 AM Oct 2016

World Health Organisation backs tax on sugary foods and drinks

Source: BBC

World Health Organisation backs tax on sugary foods and drinks

11 October 2016 Health

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has added its support to countries which place a "sugar tax" on soft drinks.

A new report from the body found that raising prices by 20% or more results in lower consumption and "improved nutrition".

The global health group has previously advised a a lower sugar intake, but stopped short of backing tax measures.

Several countries, including Mexico and Hungary, already tax added sugar products.

The WHO said it wants to see lower consumption of "free sugars", which it said will lower incidences of obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.

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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-37620087
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World Health Organisation backs tax on sugary foods and drinks (Original Post) Eugene Oct 2016 OP
Regressive taxes suck. Even when you mask them in pseudo-paternalism Taitertots Oct 2016 #1
Alcohol and Tobacco. Lancero Oct 2016 #2
If it were just specifically a tax on sugary sodas, I would personally support it. Quantess Oct 2016 #3
 

Taitertots

(7,745 posts)
1. Regressive taxes suck. Even when you mask them in pseudo-paternalism
Tue Oct 11, 2016, 11:14 AM
Oct 2016

The people of the world don't need (or want) you to save them from themselves.

Quantess

(27,630 posts)
3. If it were just specifically a tax on sugary sodas, I would personally support it.
Tue Oct 11, 2016, 12:08 PM
Oct 2016

Nobody needs sugary soda pop. (Actually, nobody needs the aspartame sweetened soda pop, either, and I would support a tax on that as well!)

But, "added sugar products" includes a lot of food products! If you tax "sugar added" food items that also have some nutritional value, you end up punishing poor people.

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