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French 'Cola Tax' Starts Next Week

Tax on soda will help state coffers, rising obesity

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 30, 2011 12:16 PM CST

(Newser) – Two things in France keep getting bigger: the deficit and the nation's waistline. To fight both simultaneously, a new "cola tax" will go into effect on New Year's Day, reports Der Spiegel. The tax will be a little more than a penny per can on Coke and other soft drinks, and industry insiders warn the move could eventually result in a 35% increase in prices. The government expects the tax to bring in $156 million in extra revenue. Denmark and Hungary have launched similar "fat taxes" on a wider range of products.

Packs of Coca-Cola are pictured in a caddie at a supermarket on December 29, 2011 in Neuilly-sur-Marne, outside Paris.
Packs of Coca-Cola are pictured in a caddie at a supermarket on December 29, 2011 in Neuilly-sur-Marne, outside Paris.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
ReasonInTimesOfRage
Dec 31, 2011 6:40 AM CST
In a country who exports many fatty foods (cheese comes to mind, for one example), taxing soda pop to gain revenue is only regressive in nature, and, in the end, the plan will fail.
cheongyei
Dec 30, 2011 2:24 PM CST
The whole world is taxed enough already to meet the legitimate costs of operating legitimate governments.  The excesses of government are only good for government, never for the supposed beneficiaries of higher taxes.
Moon
Dec 30, 2011 12:20 PM CST
"The tax will be a little more than a penny per can on Coke and other soft drinks, and industry insiders warn the move could eventually result in a 35% increase in prices." So, the greedy assholes are going to take advantage of a 1% tax to raise prices 35% - capitalists being assholes, once again.

 
obesity • France • soda tax

 
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