Unhealthy food consumption of a populace takes a heavy financial toll on governments, running into billions of dollars annually. Taxing sugary foods may be the most appropriate measure in reducing the number of people ailing as a result of excess processed carbohydrate consumption. I agree with this stance; nevertheless, additional measures need to be incorporated to yield a significant outcome, including, but not limited to, ensuring the affordability of healthier sweetened food options.
Higher taxes act as a major deterrent to purchasing these food items. When taxes are increased on sugary food items and consequently their prices, the tendency of people to reach out for them decreases. They would rather seek out cheaper and healthier options or avoid them completely. A similar outcome, for example, was seen when consumer taxes on cigarettes increased.
However, I believe that this measure alone cannot bring about the much-needed results. Healthier food options that satisfy sweet cravings should be made accessible and affordable to the populace. For example, a reduction in the prices of natural honey and beetroot would encourage people to opt for these as alternatives to sugar itself or snacks with natural sweeteners like sugarcane. Furthermore, the amount of confectionery, chocolates, and sweets displayed on shelves should be limited in supermarkets. The options available to consumers should be monitored as well.
In conclusion, tackling the health challenges of the population that stem from excessive consumption by taxing sugary foods alone is a step in the right direction, albeit insufficient. Implementing more methods would go a long way toward producing better results.