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Most of the differences in what you write is the "externalities" affect others. Yes the "burden on healthcare" is framed as an externality too, but that's afte

Most of the differences in what you write is the "externalities" affect others. Yes the "burden on healthcare" is framed as an externality too, but that's after one has accepted the collectivism of health. The problem with that is where does it end? How can you argue for a sugar tax but also argue against a skiing tax to dissuade people from partaking in that dangerous activity? On the other hand I can say why sugar drinks should not be taxed but people should have to get a license to drive on government roads without being inconsistent. Sugar beverages isn't the only thing that causes food addiction, obesity, or diabetes either mind you. Why not get down to the brass tacks of it and implement calorie cards for people and tax or ban over-eating? And tax people by their body weight too.

xdfgh1112 4y ago
Your argument would be more convincing if sugar tax had not already been successfully implemented in my country. We have an obesity problem, not a skiing problem. And a lot of people were unknowingly intaking hundreds of empty calories from soda for basically no reason.
- throwawaylinux 4y ago
  > Your argument would be more convincing if sugar tax had not already been successfully implemented in my country. What's your definition of success? I never argued a sugar tax could not reduce consumption of sugar if that is what it is. Just like an obesity tax could incentivize people to lose weight. > We have an obesity problem, Did your sugar tax fix the obesity problem? > not a skiing problem. Skiing is a statistically dangerous recreation and causes costly injury and death, healthcare system would be better off without it, so why not strive to also eliminate it? I didn't say it's the same magnitude as obesity but multiple problems can be addressed at once. > And a lot of people were unknowingly intaking hundreds of empty calories from soda for basically no reason. You must tell me what country this is which does not have the most basic food labeling standards yet has made significant progress in their obesity problem!

xdfgh1112 4y ago

Your argument would be more convincing if sugar tax had not already been successfully implemented in my country. We have an obesity problem, not a skiing problem. And a lot of people were unknowingly intaking hundreds of empty calories from soda for basically no reason.

throwawaylinux 4y ago
> Your argument would be more convincing if sugar tax had not already been successfully implemented in my country. What's your definition of success? I never argued a sugar tax could not reduce consumption of sugar if that is what it is. Just like an obesity tax could incentivize people to lose weight. > We have an obesity problem, Did your sugar tax fix the obesity problem? > not a skiing problem. Skiing is a statistically dangerous recreation and causes costly injury and death, healthcare system would be better off without it, so why not strive to also eliminate it? I didn't say it's the same magnitude as obesity but multiple problems can be addressed at once. > And a lot of people were unknowingly intaking hundreds of empty calories from soda for basically no reason. You must tell me what country this is which does not have the most basic food labeling standards yet has made significant progress in their obesity problem!