Soda Tax

[UGetPaid]

So I see that the city of Philadelphia has passed a new tax on pop/soda to go into effect next January, I think.  1.5 cents per ounce, so it would add 18¢ for a 12 ounce can.  How will they collect that tax from vending machines around the city? Will they just increase the price by a 25¢ quarter -- pull the tax money and then give an extra 7¢ to the vendor? 


What about high school sporting events where the concessions are usually a fund raiser for the athletic department or the marching band?  They generally sell 12 or 20 ounce cups to people using fountain drink dispenser machines and the money charged for drinks is generally just intermixed with the money charged for pizza or fries or hot cocoa, etc.  -- do they now have to jack up their prices and keep track of how many cups they sell to know how much tax must be paid?


What a nightmare!

[debidoo]

Wow that really will jack up the price of soda there won't it.  "They" are always coming up with some way to gouge the consumer I think.  Interesting to see how that is going to work out.

[killers2]

I am not in favor of this because I think it is the beginnings of a nanny state.  If they can try and dissuade you from soda, I know it's a small thing but where will the state stop in telling us what to do.  Just something to look out for.

[UGetPaid]

I am interested in hearing from people in the Philly area about their thoughts on this law.  Anyone?

[squirrelgirl44]

I don't care about the extra tax. Soda is not good for you, like alcohol, cigarettes, etc. So they collect higher taxes if people buy. You aren't obligated to buy soda. I buy it, I drink it, but like any other "vice," if I really want it, I will pay the price.  Not a big deal.

[crisstar]

Another silly law passed at a time when there are BIGGER issues to worry about than soda consumption.

[oldbuddy]

I am interested in hearing from people in the Philly area about their thoughts on this law.  Anyone?

Since it's a 15 minute drive to Camden, NJ they can just make one trip a month and stock up. When I go to the mall in Portland, OR there are more Washington plates in the parking lot taking the advantage of no sales tax.

[rghvac69]

I would go to another town and buy my soda.

[UGetPaid]

I would go to another town and buy my soda.

I agree with this idea and with what oldbuddy said before you, but what about the situations I mentioned where that isn't an option to go out of town?  A stationary pop machine at the laundromat or pizza joint, or a Philadelphia high school sporting event concession stand...


As far as stocking up for home, I agree with buying out of town (although some might end up spending more money in gasoline than they save in untaxed beverages).


The other argument I read about this tax is that it is intended to fund schools and education as a way to "fight poverty" (supposedly by providing a better education to students). But those who will be hardest hit by this tax are going to be poverty level and low income families who will continue to buy soft drinks (and may be less likely to travel out of Philly to buy it cheaper).  Nothing like fighting poverty by attacking the impoverished!

[judylucas]

best solution is to drink ice water

[monnee]

Just increase the tax on the 2 deadly killers alcohol and cigarettes some more too.

[miltonarmitage]

More and more the government reminds me of some low life huckster that will do ANYTHING to shake the people down for more money. If they really cared about the health of the citizen, why is pot becoming legal? isn't smoking pot just as unhealthy as cigarettes which they put such a high price tag on them that it forced a lot of smokers to quit? Look at gambling. The government says, Oh gambling is soooo bad! But once they get their cut of the action, all of a sudden, it's okay! I hope this stupid soda tax gets voted down.

[Skyisbluetoday]

More money for them, which isn't right to the consumer. I think they should lower price's not increase them.

[ancmetro]

     Too much sugar! Too many health problems: obesity, diabetes, congestive heart failure and many others. They are asking people to drink vitamin water instead and avoid junk drinks.

[heypeg]

Most ridiculous thing I ever heard.