Should Sugary Drinks Be Taxed?

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1. 01Should Sugary Drinks Be Taxed?

   Good afternoon, everyone. Many governments are worried about how much sugar people drink. One answer is a tax on sugary drinks. Today, I'll look at both sides of this idea.

   大家下午好。许多国家的政府都在担心人们喝下的糖太多了。其中一个对策是对含糖饮料征税。今天，我来看看这个想法的正反两面。

2. 02Example 1: Mexico

   In January 2014, Mexico introduced a tax of one peso per liter on sugar-sweetened drinks. On average, it raised their prices by about ten percent.

   2014年1月，墨西哥开始对含糖饮料征收每升一比索的税。平均来说，这让饮料价格上涨了大约百分之十。

   Source: Colchero et al., "Beverage purchases from stores in Mexico under the excise tax on sugar sweetened beverages," BMJ (2016)

3. 03Example 2: The United Kingdom

   The United Kingdom took a different approach. Its Soft Drinks Industry Levy started in April 2018. Companies pay more for drinks with more sugar, and nothing for drinks with less than five grams per hundred milliliters.

   英国采取了不同的做法。它的软饮料行业税于2018年4月开始实施。含糖越多的饮料，企业缴的税就越多；每一百毫升含糖不到五克的饮料则不用缴税。

   Source: UK Government, Soft Drinks Industry Levy (introduced April 2018)

4. 04The Case For

   Supporters argue that the tax works in two ways. Higher prices encourage people to choose water or other drinks, and companies have a reason to use less sugar in their recipes.

   支持者认为，这种税从两个方面起作用。价格提高会促使人们选择水或其他饮料，企业也有了在配方中少用糖的理由。

5. 05The Case Against

   Critics, however, see serious problems. A tax like this takes a bigger share of the budget of low-income families. Others feel that governments should not decide what adults eat and drink.

   然而，批评者看到了严重的问题。这样的税在低收入家庭的预算中占的比例更大。还有人认为，政府不应该决定成年人吃什么、喝什么。

6. 06Weighing the Arguments

   When we weigh these arguments, both sides make a fair point. The tax can nudge people toward healthier habits, but it can also feel unfair to those with the least money.

   权衡这些观点，双方都有一定的道理。这种税可以引导人们养成更健康的习惯，但对最没钱的人来说，也可能显得不公平。

7. 07My View

   In my view, a sugar tax makes sense only if the money goes back to the people. For example, it could pay for free drinking water in schools or sports programs for children.

   在我看来，只有当这笔钱回到人们身上时，糖税才有意义。比如，可以用它为学校提供免费饮用水，或者为孩子们开办体育项目。

8. 08Conclusion

   To conclude, a sugar tax is not a magic answer, but it can be a useful tool. What matters most is how it is designed and how the money is used. Thank you.

   最后总结一下，糖税不是万能的解决办法，但它可以是一个有用的工具。最重要的是它如何设计，以及这笔钱怎么用。谢谢大家。