Should Junk Foods Be Taxed?
Did you know that more than one-third of adults in the United States are obese?Americans consume junk foods regularly, which contribute to many health problems. Junk food is so enticing because it’s cheap, convenient, and has addicting flavors. The easiest way to reduce consumption would be to increase the price of these unhealthy snacks and pop drinks. Junk food should be taxed because of their processed ingredients, their potential to contribute to city services, and to encourage shoppers to think twice about their purchases.
Firstly, added tax on junk food will reduce purchases of these unhealthy snacks that are bad for the body. Junk food has been normalized as comfort foods and replacement meals that are eaten so regularly; it’s health detriments are rarely brought up. These foods are called junk because they have extremely low nutritional value and are often processed with chemicals to ensure long shelf life ( Nemours Kidshealth, n.d). Regularly eating junk food can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cancers, and obesity (Junk Food, n.d ).Taxing will invoke consumers to think twice before purchase because they will be conscious of the price. Also, junk food taxes will be mandated throughout America and is the most efficient way to remind everyone how processed junk food is. Without these empty calorie snacks being so cheap, they will lose their price enticement, and less convenient purchases will be made through vending machines and convenience stores. Too often, snacks are bought with loose change and are seen as add-on items because they’re so small and cheap. With added taxes, users will surely be more aware of their unhealthy snack purchases and decrease junk food purchase rates.
Additionally, taxes on junk food purchases could raise substantial sums of money to improve the city. The revenue from snack expenses could be used to spend treating obesity and other chronic diseases. According to TurboTax, the taxes citizens pay are used by the government to invest in technology and education and provide goods and services. The three most prominent sectors of disbursement are major health programs, social security, and defense and security (turbotax, n.d). By taxing junk food, other industries that benefit citizens will be strengthened, and better quality services can be provided. It’s killing two birds with one stone, whether reducing purchases for one’s health sake or raising revenue for government services. A similar concept that showed much success was alcohol tax that revenued $10 billion in 2019 ( Tax Policy Center [TPC], n.d).
Similarly, junk food is also bought as a guilty pleasure from consumers to relieve stress. The primary goal of these added expenses is to discourage consumer use/ consumption because of harmful effects. Looking solely at Regular Lay’s sold in 10-ounce bags, the company sells more than 372 million bags in the U.S yearly or 3.72 ounces of chips (Ferdman, 2014). The snack industries’ profits are astronomical, which goes to show how much snacks Americans genuinely consume. If junk food taxes don’t discourage purchases, the added fees will still benefit Americans.
Finally, taxing junk foods will prompt buyers to eat healthier. Increasing the final price, healthy snacks that are similar in price could be a favored choice for shoppers. Some alternatives are yogurt, veggies, fruits, trail mix, etc. Presently, America is one of the most obese nations; typical American diets exceed recommendation limits in four categories; solid fats and added sugars, refined grains, sodium, and saturated fats. (President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition, 2017 ). From the beginning, processed snacks were much more popular than healthy snacks because of their artificial flavorings, and low price. However, nowadays, more people are health conscious and are willing to spend on whole foods to maintain a balanced diet. Taxing junk foods is just another means to discourage users from regularly consuming junk food and opening their eyes to healthier alternatives within the same price range. Without the convenience of low price, it forces buyers to have to not care about price anymore to choose the snack they want. The excuse for buying junk food because it’s cheap and convenient can no longer be used and may prompt buyers to improve their diet.
Additionally, snack companies may choose to extend their product line and offer healthier versions to avoid tax and use tax rates as validation that their product is healthy. Necessity foods such as canned foods will not be taxed, so it won’t be a hindrance for low-income families trying to survive. In conclusion, Americans must eat healthier and avoid processed snacks.
In final analysis, junk food should be taxed in the United States because they are unhealthy. Taxing processed snacks will reduce sale purchases and make buyers conscious of how many meals they consume. Alternatively, buyers can still enjoy snacks that are healthier and similar in price. On the offhand that junk food sales remain constant after-taxes are mandated, purchases will still contribute to government services. There are many advantages, and it would be beneficial for America to tax their junk foods.
Secretary, HHS Office of the, and Fitness & Nutrition President’s Council on Sports. Facts & Statistics. 26 Jan. 2017, www.hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/index.html.
“Word! Junk Food (for Kids) — Nemours KidsHealth.” KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, kidshealth.org/en/kids/word-junk-food.html.
TurboTax — Taxes, Income Tax. “How Are Federal Taxes Spent?” TurboTax Tax Tips & Videos, turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/general/how-are-federal-taxes-spent/L6kinGuUt.
“Key Elements of the U.S. Tax System.” Tax Policy Center, www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/what-are-major-federal-excise-taxes-and-how-much-money-do-they-raise.
Ferdman, Roberto. “No, You Aren’t Crazy: Some Lay’s Potato Chip Bags Actually Do Have Fewer Chips Inside.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 24 July 2014, www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/07/24/no-you-arent-crazy-some-lays-potato-chip-bags-actually-do-have-fewer-chips-inside/.
healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/J_M/Junk-food.
