SF Considers a Tax on Sugary Drinks

KCBS ^ | Dec. 17, 2007 | Holly Quan

[jdm]

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- For years, the idea of taxing soda to beat back obesity has been tossed around in medical circles. But now, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is proposing a tax on beverages high in fructose corn syrup.

Newsom says obesity accounts for tens of millions of dollars in city health care costs. He cites a recent San Francisco Health Department survey that found nearly a quarter of the city's 5th, 7th and 9th graders were overweight and that high sugar drinks make up a tenth of a kid's daily calorie count.

Newsom reportedly wants all big box retailers and chain drug stores to pay into his new "Shape up San Francisco" program, which started this past summer with a walking regimen.

This comes as the state of California is considering slapping caffeine-infused sodas, and energy drinks with warning labels, saying consumption can contribute to diabetes.

[subterfuge]

Hey Look!!

‘Frisco (natives hate it when you call it ‘Frisco) is trying to create a black market for cokes!

[davisfh]

'This from a town where the most used pickup line is “pardon me, may I push in your stool”.'

That'd sure get me the Hell out of the bar.

And, by the way, are people actually moving to this city?

[VeniVidiVici]

How about a tax on liberal pablum? they could probably wipe out their deficit.

[timm22]

Newsom says obesity accounts for tens of millions of dollars in city health care costs. He cites a recent San Francisco Health Department survey that found nearly a quarter of the city's 5th, 7th and 9th graders were overweight and that high sugar drinks make up a tenth of a kid's daily calorie count.

Let this be a lesson to all who want to see the government involved in their pet issues. I especially hope those who want nationalized healthcare hear about this.

Government purse-strings will invariably spawn into gigantic tentacles worming their way into all aspects of your life.

[purpleraine]

My brother-in-law has kept PepsiCo in business for 30 years drinking the straight surgared original and he’s trim, about your size. I drank diet coke and............you don’t want to know.

[SoldierDad]

I’m not sure how old you are, but at my age if I drink multiple sodas every day I will put on weight. My metabolism is not what it use to be, so I have to watch what I eat and drink more than I did when I was younger. But, having said that, the reason for the desire for this tax is not for public health reasons. It’s just for raising more money for their failed social programs.

[jeffj]

The left coast will tax anything.

[SmithL]

...and more: Matier & Ross: Newsom considers city fee for sellers of sugary soda.

And it's not a fee, it's a freaking TAX!

[Red_Devil 232]

Make a trip to a store that caters to mexicans and sells Coke made in mexico ... they still use real sugar to make the Coke down there. Now that is a real Coke!

[AngelesCrestHighway]

“the state of California is considering slapping caffeine-infused sodas, and energy drinks with warning labels, saying consumption can contribute to diabetes.” Wonderful! How about slapping warning labels on gays saying rump riding can contribute to aids?....

[FES0844]

Salt will be banned next.

[SF Republican]

according to this study, that would mean I also ate another 9,000 calories during the day (given the 10% figure they cite). Something doesn't jive right here, does it? Just do the math. - I think their numbers dealt with average, simply taking what you did (6 drinks per day is probably not average) is not the correct way to do the math. Using your logic, I drank 0 cokes per day - thus I at 0 calories.

[riri]

Make a trip to a store that caters to mexicans

Like that'll be difficult to do. (

[RetiredArmyMajor]

This will be a boon for merchants in nearby cities like Oakland, San Rafael, and San Mateo.

Soon you’ll have rednecks in souped-up cars with trunkloads of bootleg Coca-Cola running their contraband into San Fran.

[Red_Devil 232]

Just go to your local Home Depot or Lowe’s parking lot in the morning, someone there may direct you to a local store. ;o)

[ZULU]

A Tale of Two Cities is a great book.

More politicians should read it.

With legislators like these, you don’t need an aristocracy.

[Squawk 8888]

If you live near either border you can get the good stuff anytime. All soft drinks bottled in Canada and Mexico are made with can sugar; the only reason they use corn syrup in the USA is because gov’t policy makes sugar 4x more expensive than it is in other countries.

[CommerceComet]

This is not about encouraging health, it’s about raising taxes.

I couldn't agree more. The health angle (particularly when combined with protecting the kids) makes it more palatable. They will tax breathing when they figure out how to do it.

[lormand]

I once worked in an office where the fattest guy was a vegan.

[Bastiat_Fan]

This is the REAL problem with government health care. Once the government pays for our healthcare, they can then take away our right to eat certain things under the guise of “saving money”. Gone is our right to smoke cigarettes, gone is the right to eat donuts, you could even have the government limit how many babies a person can have. The issue isn’t the fact that healthcare would suck, but that it gives the nanny staters the avenue to limit our liberties.