Just who were these 'doctors' exactly ? The government always does this. They ask a couple of doctors, or whoever depending on what they are trying to enforce, so that it looks as if they are doing it because they been asked to. More smoke and mirrors bullcrap.
Taxing things higher will not stop those addicted from buying them and the government knows it full well. This tax, like most of it's kind, is not intended to do good. Another robbing, thieving scam dished out to a population who just cannot afford any more tax hikes.

hahahahahahahah

Good on all of you. You thought it was an excellent idea to financially rape smokers! Now you all can bend over for your turn!

Tired of Control Freaks

so this tax will be aimed at making the poor healthier? The well off will still be able to afford to drink as much as they want, i guess doctors don`t care about the health of rich people?
unhealthy rich people who have the best insurance are a gold mine for doctors.

if things like soft drinks and cigarettes are so unhealthy why don`t they just outlaw them or ration them? oh right! because if they did that then they couldn`t collect as much tax money from them.

That stuff really is terrible for you.
It's funny how Conspiracy theorists will whine all day about fluoride, yet most have no problems with the very real poison being pushed out.

This seems a bit unrealistic, seeing as corporations with the power of Coca-Cola, or McDonald's, would do everything in their power to prevent these sort of limitations on the consumption of their products.

WOW how can anyone not agree with this? Are we all really that narrow-minded to where you can't embrace some type of change? We HAVE to start making some improvements within this economy. You people act like this is coming directly out of your pay check as a tax.

- 68% of Americans are considered obese. Take a look around, that's one out of three people that's disgusting to look at. We've developed into a society that is lazy and go after fast food rather than prepare our own meals that are healthy. America isn't exactly the most attractive society.

- It's better to pay a 20% tax on something that's unhealthy, then to be mandated to pay for ObamaCare. Less unhealthy food > less disease > less visits to the doctor > less fat people.

- A 20% tax would HELP the economy NOT hyper-inflate it. This is a reasonable trade, why not tax tobacco more and legalize marijuana and have a 90% tax on that too? Seriously.

We have to compromise something in this nation and I strongly agree with the doctors on this. It's a win/win deal. The tax goes back INTO the economy AND it has a possibility of lowering health risks. But seriously...I don't post much, but I read a sh** ton and I've noticed 95% of the people on here are quick to whine about something instead of posing a counter offer to the situation.

Originally posted by xxcircasurf
WOW how can anyone not agree with this? Are we all really that narrow-minded to where you can't embrace some type of change? We HAVE to start making some improvements within this economy. You people act like this is coming directly out of your pay check as a tax.

- 68% of Americans are considered obese. Take a look around, that's one out of three people that's disgusting to look at. We've developed into a society that is lazy and go after fast food rather than prepare our own meals that are healthy. America isn't exactly the most attractive society.

- It's better to pay a 20% tax on something that's unhealthy, then to be mandated to pay for ObamaCare. Less unhealthy food > less disease > less visits to the doctor > less fat people.

- A 20% tax would HELP the economy NOT hyper-inflate it. This is a reasonable trade, why not tax tobacco more and legalize marijuana and have a 90% tax on that too? Seriously.

We have to compromise something in this nation and I strongly agree with the doctors on this. It's a win/win deal. The tax goes back INTO the economy AND it has a possibility of lowering health risks. But seriously...I don't post much, but I read a sh** ton and I've noticed 95% of the people on here are quick to whine about something instead of posing a counter offer to the situation.

68% is 2 in 3 people-ish ... thus your point is furthered.

We are all in this together and if we are paying for each other's healthcare then it makes sense. You cannot be accountable for yourself. We've proven this. Telling you to eat healthy is not enough.

Being part of the medical community, I am 100% on board.

10% tax for tanning beds.
20% tax on soft drinks.
30% tax on fast food.
50% tax on alcohol and tobacco.

All of these things I enjoy from time to time and the last two in higher quantities. It's not fair to ask you to pay for my poor life decisions... so the 50% tax I pay basically pays for my own medical care when I grow older...

Or you can eat right, exercise and never use the healthcare system, but pay into it... then I'll just use your money

I've never understood the association between taxation and harm. If it's addicting, and people will go bankrupt to keep up their fix on the product, all taxation does is put more money in the hands of the government to squander on their own excesses.

In the US, not sure if it's the same in UK, the corporations that sell harmful goods like tobacco products, booze, defective computer operating systems, etc. have politicians deep in their pockets. In a direct relation to the OP, in the states, soft drinks almost ALWAYS contain high fructose corn syrup, which has been more or less monopolized by ADM. ADM is huge and the entire FDA and USDA are pawns of ADM (among a few others). Any efforts to enlighten people on the harm, especially related to obesity, of high fructose corn syrup is always met by a barrage of denial sponsored by ADM and their pawns.

Again, the whole thing is a ruse put on by the government to hide their closed-door deals with VERY large industries to allow them to keep operating in potentially dangerous areas.

And consuming this junk is up to the individual. Why feed the government coffer to discourage them from using it. It will just be money wasted. It's like any other food, everything in moderation.

Originally posted by homeslice
Shouldn't doctors etc. be advising patients on healthy eating and appropriate exercise anyway?
Isn't that kind of like, their job?

I would support limited fast food places in school areas etc - but a soda tax is silly. Soon it will be your couches and TVs!

edit on 17-2-2013 by homeslice because: (no reason given)

I agree with you 100%, but if you've ever been to a hospital lately you would be appalled at the number of doctors and nurses stepping out for smoke breaks and chugging diet coke like it is going out of style. They are in no position to be advocating anything, especially neurotoxins in lieu of obesity tax.

This is bull. I'm not fat and I drink soft drinks daily. So punish me for fat people. Real nice. I say tax fat people if that is the target.

Oh and super size me that meal. I'm not fat yet I'm American.