People Back Higher Taxes for Better Health

One reason Chris Swonger, president/CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. and Responsibility.org, finds the increase in alcohol-related traffic fatalities concerning is that people are largely supportive of instituting taxes for better health outcomes.

That's according to a global Gallup Poll, released yesterday, which also found:

-- Higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco products receive similar levels of support (simple five-country averages of 69% and 66%, respectively), while 59% support higher taxes on high-sugar drinks.

-- Policy or regulatory measures that legally restrict or prevent harmful activities also receive substantial support -- including laws that restrict actions such as smoking in public (simple five-country average of 69%), laws that would ban advertising of harmful high-sugar foods and drinks to children (72%) and, for unhealthy foods, either ban the advertisement or promotion of the product or require processed fats to be removed from these types of foods (72%).

-- Three policies that focus on empowering the public through such measures as creating healthy spaces like public parks, raising awareness via media campaigns and increasing access to health services all receive nearly universal support.

Antialcohol advocates have called for all three measures – higher taxes, restrictions on advertising, and media campaigns – in the past.