On August 2nd 2017, a Soda Tax was introduced into Cook County, in hopes to protect the publics health. This tax caused much controversy and when it finally passed many assumed it would be here to stay. However, on October 11th a staggering vote of 15-2 set a date for the repeal of the tax by Dec 1st. Breaking records as one of the shortest imposed taxes in American history.

In the first week of COMM 101 we actually discussed this topic and I remember thinking that it was a poor solution; the current decision to remove the tax only confirms my thoughts. I assumed this was going to fail due to the concept of “free will”. Where someone can decide what they ingest regardless of the ramifications of doing so.

Not only was this tax unfavourable to Soda company employees, store owners and the average soda consumer, it also grew to effect government elections scheduled for next November. Many opposers of the soda taxes claimed, “they’re regressive, promote layoffs, don’t reduce obesity, and could be the foot in the door that’s used to further erode food freedom”. It was really interesting to see how the decisions made in government can impact small business’s and large corporations all at the same time.

The governments intentions weren’t exactly clear to the public; many wondered if it was so that they could receive $1.8bn from the tax. Instead they’re now left with a $200million hole left by the repeal of the tax.

I understand however, where the government is coming from. There’s a pandemic occurring in the United States where obesity is seriously embedded in their culture, where more than 20% of girls and 23% of boys are obese. But if a person is determined to drink whatever they want, there’s nothing that can be done to reduce that. For example, many consumers drove out of County to Indiana just to stock up on fizzy drinks. What the government should’ve considered is openly displaying the health detriments of consuming such products. Not unlike cigarette packages do. In this way, they provide the consumer with an educated decision, oppose from making the choice for them.

In Zach Goldthorpe’s Blog he discussed how some companies in the United States are now spiking the prices of Epi Pens to ridiculous costs. He mentions how this is related to the fact that America simply doesn’t have a Nation Wide Health Care System that is as strong as Canada’s. This gives an example of a time where it’d be appropriate for the government to insert themselves into the situation and impose a price ceiling or other solution. But Soda consumption isn’t the place for them to interject in my opinion.

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