The government in many countries has recently introduced special taxes on foods and beverages with high sugar levels. Some think these taxes are a good idea, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
The recent global discourse on health and lifestyle has probed many nations to incorporate the narrative in their laws and regulations, resulting in the imposition of value-added tax on food items containing excessive sugar. Although, in my opinion, there are very clear logical reasons for why the move has been made, the decision has garnered negative attention by many who see this as an act of violation of their freedom.
Personally, I believe that the step is a move in the right direction as it creates further awareness regarding healthy lifestyle choices. These taxes will help regulate the health of the general population and consequently put less burden on a country’s health facilities. It will not only encourage individuals to pursue healthier food choices but will also boost innovation in the corporate world to produce healthier food products.
On the contrary, many believe that these taxes are paving the way for a more intrusive and controlling government model, where prejudice and biases against certain decisions will result in the citizen being penalized. Some argue that this raises the question of to what extent can the government control or encourage its population towards a specific lifestyle. Furthermore, the taxes are damaging to the economy and are detrimental to existing companies whose businesses rely on such food/beverage products.
To conclude, I would like to reiterate that the decision to impose taxes on sugary food and beverages has many advantages and is stemmed from the need to pursue healthier lifestyles on a national scale. The concerns of many regarding diminishing the autonomy of the individual, albeit worrisome, is an extrapolation without a solid basis. The long-term benefits of a large scale revolution in lifestyle choices are phenomenal, and this decision by these governments takes us one step closer to the goal.
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