Sin Taxes

A common approach to obesity has been to place taxes on nutrients or food items said to play a major part in obesity. The assumption is that a higher price will reduce consumption. Particular attention has been directed to sugar and sugary drinks, as the consumption of sugar is considerably more than that recommended. Systematic reviews of the impact of a sugar tax find no evidence that they reduce obesity or any disease. Sugary drinks should not be considered in isolation but rather as part of a wider diet, and a particular lifestyle. Those drinking sugary drinks are more likely to consume fast food, not exercise, get too little sleep, and have a long screen time. All these are risk factors for obesity.