New York’s Sugar Tax

If you’re on par with the rest of America, you probably pack in about a pound of refined sugar every week. While consuming such copious amounts of the sweetener, specifically in the form of soda and sports drinks, can lead to kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, and weight gain, if you live in New York City, this habit may soon lead you to the bank. Health commissioner, Dr. Thomas R. Frieden—the man behind banning trans fats, disclosing chain restaurant calorie counts, and smothering public smoking—has proposed a “hefty” tax on sugar-soaked beverages in an effort to combat obesity and other health hazards. He estimates that such a tax could curb consumption by more than 10 percent and raise $1.2 billion in one year!