Public in Favor of Soda “Fee” to Cover Health Programs

By: NWHF Staff | Posted on: April 10th, 2012 | 10 comments | Share: Tweet This!
Categories: Disparities • Economic Issues • Policies & Laws • Food & Nutrition • Public Health

Public in Favor of Soda “Fee” to Cover Health Programs

In an April 2012 survey, 62% of California voters supported a “special fee” on soda and soft drinks to fight obesity among children. The survey was conducted by Field Research Corporation on behalf of the California Endowment.

Meanwhile, the Center for Consumer Freedom, an industry-funded group, recently cited a nationwide Harris Interactive poll that showed 62% of Americans opposing a soda tax. 

Both Field and Harris are respected polling companies. So, who’s right?

Depends on who you ask. Or, more precisely, how you ask. The California survey:  “Do you support or oppose having the state put a special fee on the sale of soda and soft drinks and use the money to fight obesity among children?”  In the Harris poll, respondents were asked if they support or oppose “Putting a new tax on soft drinks with high sugar content.”

One obvious difference: the term “special fee” in the California poll and “new tax” in the Harris poll. 

Another is that the California poll proposes revenue to be used to fight childhood obesity. While the Center for Consumer Freedom admits that addressing childhood obesity increases support for a soda tax, they argue the government can’t be trusted to follow through on this, citing that only 2% of tobacco settlement monies have been used to fund tobacco cessation.

Other results from the Field poll in California show that 94% of respondents said obesity among children and teens is a very or somewhat serious problem.  When asked what poses the greatest health risk to kids, almost half said either unhealthy eating habits (28%) or lack of physical activity (20%).

Note to advocates, or anyone interested in passing soda tax legislation:

1. Seemingly minor details in wording can make a difference.

2. People want their excise taxes to address the issue at hand. In the case of Oregon, connecting a soda tax to Farm to School programs, or school-based physical education programs can make for solid, and popular, public health policy.

Combine solid wording with sound policy and a misguided poll can be turned upside-down, making the difference between real policy and policy merely considered.



10 Comments:

1  Posted by Rebecca Harry on February 18th, 2013 at 08:50 AM

This is a great and useful post!There are a lot of children who drink soda and eat junk food and in their case education is essential in order to help them to have a healthy lifestyle and to prevent obesity.

2  Posted by Richard on February 5th, 2013 at 06:29 AM

This seems to me a very interesting post.I think that all companies are interested only about Business Credit & Capital and they forget about consumers health.

3  Posted by Steve on January 25th, 2013 at 05:08 AM

This is a great in interesting post.I’ve hear that they are willing to introduce on the market some new soft serve machines.

4  Posted by Kent on January 24th, 2013 at 05:24 AM

This is a great and interesting post.I think this is a great action and more charitable organizations should get involved in these kind of actions

5  Posted by Dean Swin on December 26th, 2012 at 01:51 PM

This is an admirable idea. Soda is one of the most useful things that children buy. Parents should learn their children to go to the donper commercial frozen yogurt machine because is one of the best and healty places for people.

6  Posted by Sandra Johanson on December 18th, 2012 at 10:02 AM

This is a very interesting post!When I was a child I used to drink a lot of soda and when I was 15 years old I was overweight.It was a difficult period for me and I started to goto the gym and taking some Bulking Cutting products in order to loose weight.Now I look great but I don’t drink soda anymore and I consider that it really deserves to have a “special fee”.

7  Posted by MissMia on December 7th, 2012 at 01:55 PM

It’s a good start if people are waking up to see where junk food brought the kids these days. I’m starting to believe that it’s a global parent issue, because the parents are the first persons who must learn the children the difference between what’s good and what is not good,they must stop spoil their kids with soda,sweets and fast-foods.

8  Posted by mije on September 14th, 2012 at 08:44 AM

The sodas are not very healthy.I don`t let my children drink that.We use many products from EvolvHealth.

9  Posted by Bryan on June 18th, 2012 at 02:47 AM

I see a light of hope in this decision for children health. It is not possible to stop people from drinking soda but this decision can reduce the amount. Anyway I appreciate it. Thanks mate. smile
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10  Posted by John Tinkley on May 21st, 2012 at 05:15 AM

If we aim to Evolv Health for our children and todays sociaty i would say this is a pretty good move. I’m not sure if it will stop people drinking alot of soda but it will sure act as a deterant.



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