A recent poll found support among Americans for imposing such taxes to help pay for health care reform. The Kaiser Family Foundation survey shows 61 percent of those polled say they would be in favor of raising taxes on items that are thought to be unhealthy — like cigarettes, alcohol, junk food and soda. 37 percent are opposed."- CNN, The Cafferty File
Personally, I'm in favor of taxing items that are known to be unhealthy. They ultimately increase costs for the rest of us when people who abuse things like drugs, alcohol, and junk food develop health complications because of it. It's about social responsibility, as well as respecting yourself. If you can't make good choices about what to put in your body, how are you going to deal with life's much tougher issues like family problems, the death of a loved one, or career decisions? It also seems like a political no-brainer. Opposing legislation aimed at making American people healthier doesn't sound like the best career move to me. "Don't you want your grandchildren to live longer and healthier lives than you have?" It's likely no one would answer "no." More revenue and lower costs...what's the hold up!
Some things to think about...
Q: If a child had a choice between a $3.00 package of twinkies or a $.50 apple / banana, which would they really choose?
Q: If people who joined (and regularly used) a gym received a tax health credit, would more people put emphasis on their overall fitness level?
Q: Has the increased tax on cigarettes actually deterred people from smoking? Or maybe convinced them to buy fewer cigarettes?
Q: If alcohol were more expensive, would college students just be in more debt or would they cut back on their consumption?
Feel free to leave a comment with your point-of-view.
