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[Mondy]

More money in the pockets of corrupt "politicians".

 

[jerry1594]

I don't doubt it, I live here, and while your assertion has some truth to it, poor people (way) outnumber the privileged who can at least treat their diabetes better (if at all). I agree with the tax, not because it will deter Pedro from getting his 1lt coca tomorrow at lunch break, nor because of its great tributary outcome, but because it ignites a national discussion that I hope turns into a bigger movement; also, I hope to see companies coming up with new, healthier products because of it. I'm highly optimistic 'tho, truth is the fat kids of ol' mexico aren't getting the best example from their parents (and their society at large).

Unfortunately, this not only won't cut down on diabetes, but it won't cut down on obesity at large either. The Mexican diet in general is just too loaded with the bad stuff that makes you fat. I honestly don't see what can be done.

More money in the pockets of corrupt "politicians".

And this is unfortunately true.

 

[RM8]

I'm going to say, as fattening as Mexican food is, portion control and soda worshipping are the main factors for obesity in Mexico. When I'm in Japan I see people eating all kinds of "unhealthy" food, yet the main difference seems to be portion sizes. Have a piece of chocolate cake at a Mexican café and then at a Japanese bakery. It really becomes obvious why Mexico struggles with weight.

 

[entremet]

Unfortunately, this not only won't cut down on diabetes, but it won't cut down on obesity at large either. The Mexican diet in general is just too loaded with the bad stuff that makes you fat. I honestly don't see what can be done.

And this is unfortunately true.

You're assessment seems defeatist.

Things can be done, but it must be more broad in scope than just a sin tax.

 

[ClassyPenguin]

well, not really sure... but it's crazy, I actually have some relatives that have a physical dependency. They asure they get headaches during the day if they don't drink soda.

particulary, where I live (Monterrey) we have a Coca-Cola subsidary, which means that they produce and bottle the sodas here, making them really accesible in terms of price and availability. And it's a really profitable industry that generate a lot of employment.

The marketing push it's crazy too, and both Coca-Cola and Pepsi always sponsor any big events, concerts, or sports teams. Also, a lot of restaurants offers "refill soda" with a really low price. Basically, it's cheaper to get unlimited soda instead of getting bottled water or something like that.

Oh, and in top of that, there's some stupid taboo that the "diet sodas" are disgusting. Many people don't like them because "they taste bad".

In general it's a very bad habit, and it's been like that since I remember. As I said, I hope that this tax cause that people reconsider their soda consumption.

Yup. Mexican junk food industry is huge. Odd since tradional desserts aren't that sweet.

Also, the usual sedentary and fast food cultural shifts is prevalent. This is a global shift.

You will now feel the wrath of GAF for even suggesting such a thing.

Get ready for "Diet soda is worse then sugary soda. WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!!!"

And because GAF loves cherry picking quotes from flawed nutrional studies studies. The studies on diet soda and cravings are the worst, but academia pushes researchers to pump studies out.

 

[Barbacoatl]

Unfortunately, this not only won't cut down on diabetes, but it won't cut down on obesity at large either. The Mexican diet in general is just too loaded with the bad stuff that makes you fat. I honestly don't see what can be done.

The tax by itself won't change anything, but I believe the problem arises from ignorance, so the more exposure to the facts of unhealthy foods, the better.

 

[zruben]

It's not chlorinated?

not really sure about the process, but I've been drinking water from the faucet for 30 years and nothing's wrong with my health.

More money in the pockets of corrupt "politicians".

sadly, true... I fucking hate politicians here.

I'm going to say, as fattening as Mexican food is, portion control and soda worshipping are the main factors for obesity in Mexico. When I'm in Japan I see people eating all kinds of "unhealthy" food, yet the main difference seems to be portion sizes. Have a piece of chocolate cake at a Mexican café and then at a Japanese bakery. It really becomes obvious why Mexico struggles with weight.

yeah, sadly that's another big problem here with the diet. People in general don't like vegetables as side dishes, and the protein and carbs portions are WAY too big.

In most restaurant, the side dishes usually are beans, rice, fried potatoes or mashed potatoes... if you want to have steamed vegetables or things like that, you have to ask the waiter.



Also, the "weight awareness campaigns" that the government launches doesn't really help.

You can't take seriously a commercial like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O04Bf_QCBac

 

[Nephtis]

More money in the pockets of corrupt "politicians".

Which is why I despise this tax. It isn't meant to help people at all -- I wouldn't mind being taxed to hell (which us Mexicans are), if said taxes were actually put to good use. Mexico is a third world country because the government refuses to make life better for their people.

Take Sonora, my birth state (I live in the US now). We have had all kinds of taxes, and we have a toll booth when you enter Hermosillo (the state's capital city). The road looks pretty for a few miles, but outside of that it's complete shit, to the point that it's potentially deadly. I mean, people *have* died. Drivers licenses, plates, etc are super expensive, and there's very little to show for it. There was also a supposed tax from what I understand to improve child day care after a fatal fire in Hermosillo (daycare was called ABC), and again, it's been absolute shit.

What I'm saying is, when Mexico says they're taxing a specific thing for a specific reason, I can guarantee you it's bullshit.

It's really depressing.

 

[General Patton]

Taxes on top of education on the dangers of smoking, smoking bans, and making it illegal to advertise smoking.

No, that's disingenous. Cigarette packets here are covered in photos of deformed newborn babies, terminally ill people, diseased eyeballs/lungs etc and I can guarantee you, if cigarettes were still 5 bucks a packet, people would be smoking alot more. The cost factor is the single biggest reason why people are turning away from smoking, and the education and guilt-tripping is a distant second to that.

 

[AllenShrz]

More money in the pockets of corrupt "politicians".

It it were just by state by stat basis then maybe but it is on a federal level.

Some things have changed.

 

[Crimson-Death]

More money in the pockets of corrupt "politicians".

Which is why I despise this tax. It isn't meant to help people at all -- I wouldn't mind being taxed to hell (which us Mexicans are), if said taxes were actually put to good use. Mexico is a third world country because the government refuses to make life better for their people.


What I'm saying is, when Mexico says they're taxing a specific thing for a specific reason, I can guarantee you it's bullshit.

It's really depressing.

Federal level, State level, it doesn't matter. Politicians found a new way to rip off their constituents.
How many corrupt and wasteful officials have made it on the national news this past year in Mexico? How many more have avoided detection? The infrastructure is not conducive to weeding out the bad ones.

It's laughable and naive to think that the tax was truly meant to help the "poor," the "uneducated," the "mediocre" people of Mexico into better habits. Gimme a break.
The government just wants to cash in as much as possible.

 

[AllenShrz]

Federal level, State level, it doesn't matter. Politicians found a new way to rip off their constituents.

Links? I would to read them.