4 ms·
> I think Norway are currently testing a sugar tax. We are, but it's got some paradoxical warts: a bag of pure sugar is not affected. Yet a sugar-free(!) soda
by gspr 6y ago
> I think Norway are currently testing a sugar tax.
We are, but it's got some paradoxical warts: a bag of pure sugar is not affected. Yet a sugar-free(!) soda is. It kind of makes a mockery of an otherwise good idea.
- Broken_Hippo 6y agoI'm OK with sugar-free being taxed as well. Sugar-free drinks that have artificial sweeteners are still sugary-tasting drinks. I think it is actually better overall if folks drop most sugary-tasting drinks in everyday life and save them for occasional use. I'm going to guess this sort of thing (all sodas) probably makes it less cumbersome to follow and as well.
- gspr 6y ago> Sugar-free drinks that have artificial sweeteners are still sugary-tasting drinks. I think it is actually better overall if folks drop most sugary-tasting drinks in everyday life and save them for occasional use. That may be a debate worth having, but the sugar-tax debate was framed entirely in the context of the negative health effects of sugar. It's then dishonest and unconstructive to apply the tax to sweet sugar-free products.
- tomjen3 6y agoWhy? If they have no sugar in them, why should they be treated the same?
- teddyh 6y agoProbably for the same reason that, while candy cigarettes have no tobacco in them, they are still outlawed. Artificial sweeteners gets people addicted to sugar, which is unhealthy.
- gspr 6y ago> Artificial sweeteners gets people addicted to sugar, which is unhealthy. Perhaps so. But to lump it under a sugar tax seems dishonest to me, and may provide real and significant fodder for those who fight against such tax altogether.