Source: Xinhua
04-10-2009 09:58
Special Report: Tech MaxBEIJING, April. 9 (Xinhuanet)-- Taxing soft drinks could help fight obesity by reducing consumption by as much as 10 percent, according to some U.S. health experts.
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| Taxing soft drinks could help fight obesity by reducing consumption by as much as 10 percent, according to some U.S. health experts. (File photo) |
Experts said the best way to fight obesity is to tax sugared drinks. Taxes have been shown to reduce smoking and are just as likely to help adults and children choose healthier drinks.
Americans love their sugared beverages, partly because of soda is cheaper and more available than milk. So it's time to level the playing field and tax sugared beverages, especially since studies show people who consume sweetened drinks tend to weigh more and have a higher risk for diabetes, said experts.
Experts say this move is needed because education alone isn't working. The only way to get people to stop drinking so many of their calories is to hit them in their pocketbooks.
Now, several states are considering special taxes for soda and other sweetened beverages. New York was among several states to propose a tax on sugar sodas but the idea proved unpopular and was dropped.
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Editor:Yang Jie
