Philly's soda tax didn't lead to people drinking less soda, study says

[TexasTowelie]

Philadelphia’s tax on soda and other sweetened beverages has not reduced residents’ consumption of such drinks, according to a new study.

Philadelphians reported a slight but not statistically significant decrease in sugary beverage consumption compared with residents of nearby cities without a tax, Drexel University researchers found in surveys taken before and after the tax took effect.

“We have ample evidence that sugary beverages are connected to type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues, but we’re seeing that raising the price of sugary beverages may not impact consumers who don’t drink a lot of soda,” Amy Auchincloss, an associate professor at Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health, said in a statement about the research.

Philadelphia became the first large U.S. city to pass a tax on soda in 2016. Mayor Jim Kenney championed the tax as a means of funding pre-K, community schools, and improvements to parks, recreation centers, and libraries. Public health advocates praised Philadelphia’s levy and have pointed to taxes on soda as a means of reducing consumption and improving residents’ health.

Read more: https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-soda-tax-drexel-study-20200227.html

[BlueTsunami2018]

1. The way people here complain about it, you'd think it was the end of the world.

I know people who will spend more money in gas to go buy soda outside the city than the tax would cost them if they just went to the local supermarket. They absolutely hate it and the mayor and especially the D.A.. I’m talking apoplectic rage.

It’s kind of funny.

[Freddie]

4. Major supermarket closed

In a neighborhood that really needs a supermarket. Owner blamed the soda tax. Is that all people buy?? One thing that bothers me is they also tax sugar-free beverages, which negates the “health” issue of sugary drinks. But yeah, you’d think it was the end of the world.

[PBC_Democrat]

2. People hate being lied to ...

No one ever seriously believed that the tax was being implemented to improve public health.

Be honest ... tell the public that you need the money for a good cause and you decided to tax this or that product or service.

If it's a good idea and has public support, it won't be a problem.

[Squinch]

3. Soda really is pretty bad for you. It was worth a try.

[Freddie]

5. It's a "sin tax"

Like taxes on liquor and cigarettes. You don’t need to drink, smoke or drink soda to exist. Personally I think that’s a lot more fair than a tax on groceries like some states do.

[FakeNoose]

6. The tax should be on the soda manufacturers and distributors

Consumers will still ultimately pay the tax. But when the manufacturers and marketers feel the pinch, they will develop healthier products that don't contain the sugar or high-fructose sweeteners.

[Freddie]

8. The Philly soda tax

Taxes all sweetened beverages no matter what they’re sweetened with (sugar, artificial sweetener, something all-natural). Which is wrong if this is about health.

[abqtommy]

7. When Obama doubled the cost of cigarettes it didn't change my smoking habit. So now the

question is, What has happened to all this tobacco tax/soda tax money? asking for my five friends...