To reduce the intake of unhealthy substances
Greetings everyone and a happy weekend!
"Would it be better if unhealthy things—I mean consumable items—were made very expensive so as to discourage people from taking them?"
Under normal circumstances, I stand by this idea with everything in me because I don’t often fancy the intake of such things, such as hard drugs, alcohol, and many others. But then, there are people who, to this day, justify the usefulness of these items and label them as harmless. They argue that it is only harmful when taken in excess, which is also applicable to how normal and acceptable foods, drinks, and medicines can affect us negatively when consumed excessively.
Using alcohol as an example, a lot of people out there don’t see anything wrong with drinking alcohol. In fact, some say it is medicinal and should be taken on a regular basis to keep the body system active. The same goes for some hard drugs—they are effective in pain relief and are often used to help the body during certain activities. You see, to those who indulge in this, there is nothing you will tell them that will make them see the wrong in what they are doing. They will do anything possible to get these items, even if the prices go up, because those substances are like food to them and they can’t withstand staying off them.
Why am I trying to justify their act?
The thing is, if such heavy taxes are imposed on these items, it will definitely reduce their intake a little bit, but it won’t lead to a significant reduction that would be noticeable.
Take cigarettes for instance—there is a warning attached to each pack of cigarettes stating that smokers are liable to die young. I’m not a smoker, but every time I read that warning, it sends a chill down my spine.
The question is, even with that warning, has there been a reduction in smoking or a decline in the number of young people getting into it? No! People are still massively smoking today. And if you remind them of that warning, they would say, “Everyone is bound to die one day, and smoking doesn’t determine that.”
There was a day I came across a shocking comparison on social media where the death of a very popular clergyman (who died at a young age) was compared to smokers who are still alive. You got the humour, right?
This same thing is going to happen with consumers of these items if high taxes are imposed on them. They will continue to find ways—by all means—to get money and keep taking those drugs, drinks, and foods. The only people who will quit are the ones who aren’t really into it—those who take the drugs or drinks once in a while.
Not supporting the people taking these substances, but such implementation of high taxation on these items is not going to significantly reduce their intake. The best approach is for the people, the government, and the world at large to keep spreading awareness and educating people about the dangers of consuming unhealthy substances.
Thanks for reading.
