Healthy Outlook Blog

A handful of new studies have looked at the soda tax in terms of consumption and BMI rates in taxed and non-taxed states. One study looking at children’s health found correlations among subsets of groups (like kids who watched a lot of TV), but overall, the soda tax hasn’t significantly changed spending habits or reduced obesity.

Explanations vary, but many experts say that the tax—four percent, on average— is too low to cause a major change in behavior. To put that number in perspective, CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta said it would add just $.06 to a 20-ounce bottle of soda costing $1.50 before tax. Would an 18% tax (bringing that bottle to $1.77) have more of an impact? And what else could be done to curb the consumption of soda?

One option that schools are pursuing is to make soft drinks less available. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation formed an agreement with the American Beverage Association that led to a 95 percent drop in the shipment of full-calorie sodas to public schools since 2004.

When the Food and Beverage Association was asked about the soda tax by CNN, they said “the fact remains that taxes don’t make people healthier—a balanced diet and exercise do that.” Without a doubt, diet and exercise are at the root of resolving the obesity epidemic, and at the end of the day, the choice comes down to us. We can choose to drink water or juice instead of soda—or at least limit our intake of it. If you love soda, consider cutting back on how much you drink. And if you’re drawn to its carbonated fizz, try adding fresh fruit juice to seltzer.