Consumer Group to President Obama: Americans Don’t Want Taxes on Soft Drinks
New Poll Finds That Two-Thirds Of Americans Oppose Taxing Soda
Washington, DC - Today, the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) called on President Obama to abandon ideas of a new tax on soft drinks after he was quoted saying he is open to "sin taxes" on soda in hopes of curbing obesity. The group points to a number of studies showing that these kinds of taxes do nothing to address the problem of obesity, as well as new Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) polling data showing that soda taxes are opposed by two-thirds of Americans.
Americans who were polled were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: "Carbonated soft drinks should carry extra taxes in order to discourage their consumption." 65% disagreed, while only 28% agreed.
The new ORC poll presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted among a national sample of 1,006 adults comprising 505 men and 501 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States. The survey was completed during the period August 28-31, 2009.
"Taxes on soda are a distraction that won't address the real problem facing overweight Americans -- an epidemic of inactivity," said J. Justin Wilson, Senior Research Analyst at the Center for Consumer Freedom. "We're calling on President Obama to stop considering this tax altogether. The American people overwhelmingly oppose it and science shows that it will have little to no impact on our weight."
In a previously released report titled "Why Soda Bans Don't Fight Childhood Obesity," CCF cites a wide array of peer-reviewed health, exercise, and nutrition research that disputes the widely held notion that soda is a cause of obesity, and instead shows that physical inactivity is the single largest contributor to obesity among children.
To read "Why Soda Bans Don't Fight Childhood Obesity," or to arrange an interview, please visit http://consumerfreedom.com/sodaobesity or call Sarah Longwell at (202) 463-7112.
The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies, and consumers, working together to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices.
For media comment, contact our media department at 202-463-7112 ext. 115
