Letter: Government should enforce a tax on sugary beverages

Obesity among Americans in the U.S. is an issue that is becoming more and more of a problem as time passes. More than 34.9 percent of adults and about 17 percent of children in the U.S. are obese. Due to the rising obesity rates in the U.S., the government should enforce a tax on sugary beverages.

The excessive amounts of added sugar consumed by Americans are the main contributor of obesity. The average American consumes about 8,000 teaspoons of added sugar each year, which is nearly two times the recommended amount. By implementing a sugary beverage tax, the purchases and consumption of sugar beverages would surely decrease.

If these beverages were taxed 1 cent per ounce of sugary beverage, $150 billion would be made in 10 years. The revenue from the tax could be used to create programs that will help decrease obesity rates such as providing more education in schools about proper eating habits and exercise.

It is important that something is done about the rising obesity rates in the U.S. Although the sugary beverage tax only addresses a single contributor of obesity, it’s a start that has been proven to be successful.

This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Letter: Government should enforce a tax on sugary beverages."