Taxes on sugary drinks recommended by WHO to curb obesity, d

health organization to impose taxes on sugary drinks. the goal — is to lower consumption and therefore reduce risks like obesity and diabetes. however as 47 a-b-c’s lili zheng reports — one local health departments says it may take more than a tax — while local residents say the tax would take away more consumer freedom. i don’t think it’s right, no. i don’t. i really don’t. track 1 jeff pruitt — is talking about the idea of countries using tax policies to a minimum 20 percent increase price of sugary drinks. the recommendation comes from the world health organization — in a 36-page report on fiscal policy and diet released tuesday. jennifer johnson explains — it draws lessons from campaigns to fight tobacco addiction — like taxes on cigarettes. there are some people who will say…oh, i don’t really want to spend that much money. there may some that reduce how soda they drink. maybe they were a couple sodas a day…maybe they’ll change one a week track 2 johnson — supervisor of chronic disease programs at the wicomico county health department — says if implemented — a tax could potentially help reduce obesity rates in the u-s. the number of adults classified as obese in wicomico county surpasses the maryland average 34 percent versus 29 percent . but residents 47 a-b-c spoke to say — a tax on sugary drinks is simply not fair. i don’t feel that we should be taxed because of our choices that we make. we pay enough taxes as it is maryland already has a six percent tax. i don’t know what the other states have, so basically you’re going to tax on top of the sales tax that’s already being implemented on the drinks already? track 3 as for johnson — she explains it’s important for people to realize it’s not only drinks that can contain a high amount of sugar. but also — certain foods. when you sit down and realize how much sugar intake you’re taking in, hopefully they would realize that it’s way too much track 4 lili zheng, 47 a-b-c there are online resources for folks — interested in seeing how much sugar they should be consuming on a day-to-day basis. to find them — look for this story on our website – 47 abc dot com. we will keep the sky fairly clear tonight as lows drop to the lower 50s with light winds, meaning there will be patchy fog through