Drink Tax

When we think of Florida we, since we've still got that beach glow of us, think of sun, sand and fun! When we think of the University of Florida (UofF) we think of a twenty-four / seven (24/7) spring break education - a party school where education takes the back seat to sun, sand and fun. We'd be wrong. The students or we might not take education seriously at the UofF but the professors and researchers certainly do. In the news and reported by CNN, NY Times, the Washington Post, is the following suggestions to improve the conditions of all us. Raising taxes to reduce the consumption of alcohol and thereby save lives. Or by finding ways to make tomatoes more resistant to salmonella contamination.

"Doubling the current state taxes on alcohol -- which would tack on as much as 50 cents to the price of the average six-pack or bottle of wine -- could be expected to reduce alcohol-related deaths by 35 percent, fatal car crashes by 11 percent, and the rates of sexually transmitted disease by 6 percent, according to the study. Higher taxes on booze would also lead to 2 percent less violence and 1.4 percent less crime, the researchers estimate." - CNN (Health.com)

Since alcohol isn't one of the major food groups and we've never been in an accident with someone under the influence of excessive sandwiches we might be inclined to agree with the findings. We're most a group of non-drinkers and usually we save our consumption for matters of celebration such an increase would not significantly affect our way of living. If our representatives, who also have a reputation for consuming and abusing alcohol decided to go the route of taxing sin and death we doubt it will go over well for those who are large consumers.

The University of Florida (UofF) is no stranger to alcohol research reputation or not. In January the school professors released this investigations results:

Dr. Dennis Thombs / UF health researcher: “Perhaps what is going on with the drinking and driving issue is that young adults believe that energy drinks make it safer to drink heavily so they may even plan to consume energy drinks with alcohol because it makes them think it overcomes the debilitating effects of alcohol.” - University of Florida (News)

Like any good homemaker students were either stretching their alcohol consumption dollar by using higher alcoholic contented beverages and POSSIBLY less taxed non-alcoholic beverages. However since energy drinks and sodas are also not NECESSARY food group items either we still have no real negative opinions in their restrictions either. What we would LIKE to see is that such taxations be removed IF and when they result in the desired effects in reducing obesity or deaths by whatever means chosen.

 "In a study of college-aged adults exiting bars, patrons who consumed energy drinks mixed with alcohol had a threefold increased risk of leaving a bar highly intoxicated and were four times more likely to intend to drive after drinking than bar patrons who drank alcohol only." - Addictive Behaviors (April 2010)

That the University of Florida made such an investigation is important or at least possibly feel as though it was necessary for them to do so after all because:

"UF is a national leader in this area. The success of the sports drink Gatorade is well known, but it is just one of many UF products that have benefited countless people." - University of Florida (Research)

You think we just make this stuff up but we don't. Taxes to reduce use - right! That's not necessary and it'll never work you say. Higher prices DO make people consume less. We complain when its rent, mortgage, utilities, medicine, food and gas. Other than maybe the price of gas and driving less - which we never want to NOT do if it's taxes on something we don't NEED to do or use like cigarettes, alcohol or sodas. We can't really complain. We want people to smoke less, drink less, weigh less. We just don't want to HAVE to do it. We should pay MORE for the privilege IF it's a matter of life or death. OK.

"Beverages Are a Major Source of Added Sugars - Americans, especially children, eat too much added sugar. Added sugars include cane and beet sugars, honey, molasses, and corn and other syrups used for home baking and sweetening, as well as sugars commonly added to processed foods and beverages, but not the naturally occurring sugars in fruit or milk. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans specify a “discretionary calorie allowance” for diets that include and do not exceed the recommended amounts of each food group. This allowance can be consumed via any food or beverage, including those with added sugars. " - United States Department of Agriculture (Economic Research Service) 

It's not a new idea but its an oldie but goodie. Everything old is new again.

Shades of Mad Men, it seems that the UofF is becoming THE institution of higher learning for what makes people choose to do what they do.

"A new University of Florida study will take an in-depth look at the factors involved in treatment decisions made by people with colorectal cancer. The study is funded by a $1.2 million grant from the Bankhead-Coley Florida Cancer Research Program, administered through the Florida Department of Health." - University of Florida (News) 

While we wait for decisions from our legislators to act we only hope that local retailers and restaurateurs don't prematurely and in the interest of our health collude to increase beverage prices to protect us from ourselves. We only drink when we go out to celebrate and the more we can buy the better we'll feel. Maybe we just need to celebrate less - but hey we're doing it for the economy!