If the city you lived in taxed soft drinks, would you still buy them?

Question

The city of San Francisco is considering a measure to tax retail chains for stocking any kind of drink with high fructose corn syrup in it (sodas, gatorade and such). Of course, should that go through, retail chains plan to pass the cost on to the consumer. If that should happen would you still buy those products?

I realize they are applicable to state tax but this is a city limit only tax I am asking about.

Answer 1

I occasionally "treat myself" to a Coke or Sierra Mist. I've noticed the prices have jumped big time in the last year - 20oz bottle was $1.25 now is $1.35 - $2.00 around here. Out of principal I've bought less soda since the hike. It was over priced to begin with.

If the price raised, irrespective of the reason, I would buy fewer sodas.

To a larger point, I'm a big fan of "sin taxes". I'd gladly pay more money on stuff that's bad for me that I *choose* to purchase (soda, booze, fast food) if it meant that I would be taxed less on essentials (groceries, clothes, utilities). Not that it ever works out that way, but on paper I support that way of thinking.

Answer 2

Geez, this country is getting too protective of the people. I understand that the syrup is the worst invention in the world, but I would keep on buying it. I enjoy soft drinks and such. It is the same thing as the cigarette tax, they want to protect you so much that they think you can not choose for yourself. Anyway, in the big scheme of life we are all going to die, so we might as well enjoy the stressed up life (funny how the government does not make it mandatory to give a month's pay vacation to full-time employees, heh, like they do in Europe) and stress kills.

Oh, and if they will have to pass the tax to the companies, all the premade food with the high fructose syrup is going to be taxed. So guess what, I think Americans will go back to being skinny or anorexics, or they will be poor like hell, but the government will have all the money in the world. Funny how they seem to mask it with the "I am trying to help the people" lie.

This government should stop taking decisions for us, as though we are toddlers. Seriously. The way I see this, in fifteen years 1984 will come true.

By the way, we all have free will, or at least I thought we did, let me double check... Although I think the government doesn't know. Well.... they might know, but their greed and need to pocket all the money is enough to want to tax everything..... look at Miami where every year they appraise people's homes for three times as much as it is actually worth.... why do you think that is? Because the higher the value the more taxes you have to pay. I hate this governent- edit the politicians running it that I did not vote for, it is becoming as corrupt and greedy as all the ones it criticizes.

Answer 3

Barbara,
I am quite familiar with SF and I can speculate with a reasonable amount of certainty that this tax imposition would likely hurt the commerce within the limits of the city. Of course some people would purchase these products no matter what, but for the conscientious person or the worker who commutes in I would expect them to bring their own drinks with them to the office and go for something else during lunch.

The answer from my perspective is no. I would not purchase them within the limits of the City of San Francisco.

Just one person's view.

Gerry :)

Answer 4

Your mayor is a former smoker....the very worst kind of rabid anti-smoker. Smoking will never be totally banned as it is a huge tax revenue source. This is what becomes of a few self serving people limiting the freedom of others to do something they like. Most of the health issues are accurate but overblown at the same time. Few people realize that smokers actually show less cancers than nonsmokers. The real culprit is radon gas. Overlay a map of radon prevalence in our country with one of lung cancer rates. They match. The map of smoking prevalence doesnt come close to lining up. Smokers are actually cheaper to treat too. They dont have prolonged illnesses, they just die. Bet you didnt know why pot was outlawed----hemp was cheaper than cotton. The cotton gin would have been useless with hemp being more easily grown and turned into products. It was more durable too. Too bad the sheeple dont know these things. Congrats on being an informed individual!

Answer 5

of course not, why all thats really happening is that the city and county of san fran which is the same intety if u dint know that already, is stepping up its role a indepent health ministry itsproctecting the enerall y public by fining the suppliers of these high fructose soft drinks, there is good alternatives, vitamin water, life water or simply dilute apple juice with 60 % juice 40% water that works for me, and with two days at the gym or excirse and eating healthy no pork or beef just chickena and fish, i lost 20 pounds in four weeks.

Answer 6

You guys live in such a weird country. You tax high fructose drinks.
YET.......You have McDonald's in your schools and you can buy an automatic weapon from a hardware store.

It must be very entertaining to see what you politicians will ban or encourage next. My money is on banning Baby milk, on the grounds that all babies who have consumed some form of milk have gone on to become adults and subsequently die. and perhaps you could legalise nerve gas for home use.

Answer 7

Soft drinks have always been taxed where i live and i never even thought twice about it.

Answer 8

Soda is already taxed... and I still buy it... but if it were taxed more than it is already... then yes I would still buy it, you know why? I'll tell you... Because Soda is great, it tastes so good and it makes you burp and burping is both repulsive and awesome... and it is bad for your teeth, and if no one drank soda Dentists would be out of their jobs and that would be bad for them and the economy.

Answer 9

They already DO in New York state, Silly! DUUUUUUUUUUUH!!!

<*<*<*Merry Christmas*>*>*>

P.S. Hillbillie, Bread, Milk, Cereal and other food based products, such as Nacho Cheezier Doritos snacks aren't taxed!

Answer 10

I already pay a state tax so I guess if there was a city tax I'd still buy them.