This glossary is intended to help students prepare for a debate on an added sugar tax. By mastering the vocabulary first, students will be better able to understand and formulate arguments on the subject of taxing junk food.
analogy
noun
A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
Example: By analogy, the same reductions in consumption can be expected once a tax on added sugar is put in place.
fr: analogie
burden
noun
Misfortune that causes hardship, anxiety, or grief.
Example: However, consider how the real burden on the poorest segment of society is the ill health produced by unhealthy food choices.
fr: fardeau
crippling
adjective
Causing a severe problem.
Example: A sin tax on added sugar will help to pay for the crippling harm sugar causes.
fr: paralysante, paralysant
demand
noun
Added taxes will immediately reduce demand for added sugar and incentivize positive food choices.
Example: Added taxes will immediately reduce demand for added sugar and incentivize positive food choices.
fr: la demande
diabetes
noun
A disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine.
Example: Sugar is added to processed food during resulting in an increase in the number of people suffering from obesity and type II diabetes.
fr: diabète
epidemic
noun
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
Example: Suppose that we were to ask the people who profit from the obesity epidemic to help to pay for the treatment of its victims.
fr: épidémie
food additive
noun phrase
A substance added to food to enhance its flavor or appearance or to preserve it.
Example: In conclusion, a sugar tax is exactly what this country needs right now to dissuade unhealthy food choices and help to pay for the additional costs food additives incur.
fr: additif alimentaire
healthcare system
noun phrase
The organization of people, institutions, and resources that deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations.
Example: If people insist on eating food with added sugar, then it follows that they should pay extra for the additional burden they place our healthcare system.
fr: système de soins de santé
incentivize
verb
Provide someone with an incentive for doing something.
Example: Added taxes will immediately reduce demand for added sugar and INCENTIVIZE positive food choices.
fr: inciter
incur
verb
To experience something bad as a result of actions you have taken.
Example: In conclusion, a sugar tax is exactly what this country needs right now to dissuade unhealthy food choices and help to pay for the additional costs food additives incur.
fr: encourir
junk food
noun phrase
Highly processed unhealthy food that is high in calories from sugar or fat, with little dietary fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, or other important nutrients.
Example: It makes sense that the tax collected on JUNK FOOD with added sugar would be used to pay for the negative effects added sugar in food has on the country’s health.
fr: mal bouffe
levy
verb
Impose a tax, fee, or fine.
Example: Hungary levied a flat tax on food containing high levels of fat, sugar, and salt.
fr: prélever
obese
adjective
Excessively fat or overweight.
Example: Did you know that one and a half billion adults were considered OBESE in 2008?
fr: obèse
obesity
noun
The condition of being excessively fat or overweight.
Example: Added sugar in processed food is a major cause of OBESITY, which is set to become the biggest health crisis in developed countries in recent years.
fr: obésité
poisonous
adjective
Causing or capable of causing death or illness if taken into the body.
Example: I therefore recommend that citizens of this country write to their members of parliament and demand a tax be placed on poisonous additives in our food system.
fr: venimeuse, venimeux
saturated fat
noun phrase
A type of fat in which the fatty acid chains have all or predominantly single bonds, considered to be less healthy than other kinds of fat.
Example: Another report tells us that Denmark has implemented a tax of 2.15 EUR on saturated fat.
fr: gras saturé
sin tax
noun phrase
A tax on items considered immoral, undesirable or harmful, such as alcohol or tobacco.
Example: A sin tax on added sugar will help to pay for the crippling harm sugar causes to public health.
fr: impôt sur le péché
subsidy
noun
A sum of money granted by the government to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low.
Example: If implemented, the taxes collected on food additives could be used to make healthier choices cheaper and more abundant, with subsidies on fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, for example.
fr: subvention
sweetener
noun
A substance used to sweeten food or drink, especially one other than sugar.
Example: Sugar is much worse than naturally occurring sugars in fruit and vegetables or concentrated in natural SWEETENERS like honey.
fr: édulcorant
tax
noun
Involuntary fees levied on individuals or corporations and enforced by a government.
Example: Added TAXES will immediately reduce demand for added sugar and incentivize positive food choices.
