Write for an Academic Discussion

A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.

Your professor is teaching a class on public health.

In your response, you should do the following.

• • Express and support your opinion.
• • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor’s question:

Let's discuss public health strategies. One popular proposal for combating unhealthy eating habits is to place a special tax on sugary drinks and junk food, with the goal of discouraging consumption. Critics, however, argue that such taxes unfairly penalize lower-income individuals and that education is a better approach. Which strategy do you think is more effective for promoting public health: imposing taxes on unhealthy foods or focusing on public education campaigns? Why?

Student response 1:

I support the idea of taxing unhealthy foods. While education is important, financial incentives are often a more powerful motivator for changing behavior on a large scale. A tax makes people think twice before buying something unhealthy, and as a result, the revenue generated can be used to fund health programs.

Student response 2:

I think education campaigns are a more effective and fair approach. Taxes can place a significant burden on families with limited budgets, who may rely on cheaper food options. In contrast, educating people about nutrition empowers them to make better choices for themselves in the long run, without creating a financial penalty.