“Sin-Food” Taxes and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages—The Right Policy for the Wrong Reasons?

This critical issues & trends perspective examines the claim that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages will reduce obesity rates. The key point made is that for a soda tax to have an effect on reducing obesity & obesity disparities there needs to be reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages & a switch to healthier consumption patterns. To support their premise the authors examine price manipulation, price elasticity, own elasticity, & examples of legislative acts. Adapted from the source document.