Day By Day© by Chris Muir.

March 04, 2006

Soda: The Next Nanny State Target

Like to guzzle Pepsi or Coke? Hold on to your soda cans, folks:

In reports to be published in science journals this week, two groups of researchers hope to add evidence to the theory that soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks don't just go hand-in-hand with obesity, but actually cause it. Not that these drinks are the only cause - genetics, exercise and other factors are involved - but that they are one cause, perhaps the leading cause.

A small point? In reality, proving this would be a scientific leap that could help make the case for higher taxes on soda, restrictions on how and where it is sold - maybe even a surgeon general's warning on labels. (emphasis mine)

As usual, some folks think that by regulating a product and hiking up the tax, the public will come to its senses and be grateful for being shown the light.

Whatever happened to self-reliance? Making one's own decisions? Eating anything in excess is unhealthy. And, I don't know of anyone who would say that soda is a healthy choice. Moderation is the key. Just like it's okay to have a handful of chips with your sandwich, having a soda once in a while is not going to kill you...or in this case, cause you to gain a ton.

Let's face it: Most people gain weight because they eat too much and exercise too little. They could be gaining weight on healthy choices as easily as unhealthy choices. What's next, assigning us minders to see how much we eat?

Then again, think of all the tax money to be made on such a venture. Despite the fact that scientists can't agree on what the data says, lawmakers will probably jump on the chance to line the coffers with more cash to spend on special interest projects.

States like California will probably be first on the soda tax bandwagon.