It is true that enforcing a high level of tax on sugar has been an approach that is widely used by governments in some countries. In this essay, I would evaluate both the benefits and drawbacks of this approach before proposing whether or not the positive aspects outperform its negative aspects.
On the one hand, there are certain advantages associated with the surge in sugar price due to its being taxed heavily. Without a doubt, sugar has been a sought-after type of spices widely present in people’s diets and known for enhancing the flavors of many dishes. However, if consumed excessively, it may lead to accumulation of fats which results in various health problems such as obesity or cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, if sugar becomes less affordable, its consumption may plunge as people would either cut down on sugar or opt for healthier options such as maple syrup. As a result, it would alleviate the burden on individual’s health as well as on healthcare systems overall.
However, there are some problematic implications of this approach that should receive more attention. As mentioned above, sugar only causes health-related problems once people consume it in an immoderate manner; otherwise, using sugar appropriately not only enhances the tastes of many dishes but also preserves the diversity of many foods. Take Vietnam as an example. “Che”, or sweet soups, is a popular type of desserts that known for its sweet taste. It does not simply add in the diversity for Vietnamese cuisine but also fosters a sense of community because people in different parts of Vietnam love gathering at sweet soups vendors to talk. Therefore, if sugar is taxed heavily, it may disrupt these long-lasting customs as well as prompting backlashes from its consumers.
In conclusion, although applying tax regulations on sugar is effective in terms of protecting people’s health, it is not practical when being enforced in countries where sugar has played an important role as in Vietnam. Therefore, it is advisable that people should consume sugar moderately so that they can both enjoy the deliciousness of the food and avoid unwanted health problems.