Soda Taxes: A Good Idea? This Week in Hot Chocolate and Current Events

This week in Hot Chocolate and Current Events, we will equip your family to discuss the battle over soda taxes.

We will look at the current soda tax battle in Cook County, Illinois, where Chicago is located. 

First, read this article from the Chicago Tribune. There is a short video that goes along with it, and you can watch that with your family. 

Key terms:

Beverage tax: a local tax collected to try to deter people from drinking sugary drinks. 

County commissioners: the board of county leaders who voted to enact the tax

Michael Bloomberg: Former NYC mayor and heath guru who imposed similar taxes during his time in office

Why would county commissioners enact a beverage tax? 

What benefits would a soda tax bring to Cook County?

What harm might the tax bring to Cook County? 

How would you feel about the tax if you owned a restaurant or food store in Cook County? 

Cigarettes are taxed more than other products. Do you think sodas are a “vice” on the same level as cigarettes?

What is more important: promoting a healthy society, even if it means higher taxes, or preserving people’s liberty to drink whatever they want?

Should the county commissioners repeal the tax? 

If you were a county commissioner, would you vote to repeal it? 

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