Obesity is a major, rising problem in today’s society, which can result from the intake of too many high calorie foods. According to Chriqui, Eidson, Bates, Kowalczyk and Chaloupka (2008), “Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 spent approximately $159 billion on food, candy and soft drinks in 2005 alone” (p. 227). A shockingly large amount of people living in the United States are obese due to the wide array of inexpensive junk food which is widely available. Kim and Kawachi (2006) stated that “nearly one third of all American adults are obese, and obese adults are approximately 1.5 to 2 times more likely to die prematurely compared to those with a Body Mass Index in the healthy range” (p. 430). This shows that people who are obese are
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Powell et al (2009) found that one common objection to taxing junk foods is that lower income households spend a large amount of money on food (Powell & Chaloupka, 2009). People could argue that, since lower income populations spend a large proportion of their money on food, it would not be fair for them because they would not be able to afford other household items. However, there are subsidies available. This means that there is financial assistance available from the government to assist families who are struggling financially. For instance, Powell et al (2009) found that “food purchases by low-income individuals under the federal food stamp program are exempt from state sales taxes. Therefore, low-income food stamp recipients do not pay these taxes on their food purchases made with food stamps” (p. 247). It is a concern that food taxes hurt priority populations; however, there are services such as the federal food stamp program available to help those families in need. Another common objection that Powell et al (2009) found for the taxation of junk foods is “the taxation of unhealthy, energy-dense foods will reduce weight only if individuals do not substitute non-taxed, high calorie foods” (p. 236). People could be against the taxation of unhealthy foods because they believe that individuals will substitute their typical junk food for other high-calorie, non-taxed alternatives. However, people do
Powell et al (2009) found that one common objection to taxing junk foods is that lower income households spend a large amount of money on food (Powell & Chaloupka, 2009). People could argue that, since lower income populations spend a large proportion of their money on food, it would not be fair for them because they would not be able to afford other household items. However, there are subsidies available. This means that there is financial assistance available from the government to assist families who are struggling financially. For instance, Powell et al (2009) found that “food purchases by low-income individuals under the federal food stamp program are exempt from state sales taxes. Therefore, low-income food stamp recipients do not pay these taxes on their food purchases made with food stamps” (p. 247). It is a concern that food taxes hurt priority populations; however, there are services such as the federal food stamp program available to help those families in need. Another common objection that Powell et al (2009) found for the taxation of junk foods is “the taxation of unhealthy, energy-dense foods will reduce weight only if individuals do not substitute non-taxed, high calorie foods” (p. 236). People could be against the taxation of unhealthy foods because they believe that individuals will substitute their typical junk food for other high-calorie, non-taxed alternatives. However, people do