In sweet shops, a sour response to candy tax

ARAM BOGHOSIAN FOR THE BOSTON GLOBEAlex Souza and John Burke at Hidden Sweets in Cambridge. Shop manager Judd Braverman estimated that sales are off about 15 percent, but ''people are still grabbing that candy bar. It almost helps them get through the rough times.'' (ARAM BOGHOSIAN FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE)

Governor Deval Patrick's plan to tax candy and sodas is worrying store operators, who say it will further reduce sales at a time of economic decline, when even children have become price-sensitive and are cutting back.

"Kids are going to stop drinking sodas," said Pinto Patel, a clerk at the Brighton convenience store Palace Spa. "Their parents don't give them a lot of money."

Because of a recent increase in candy prices, he said, children are already "looking for the cheap stuff."

As part of a package of emergency cuts and tax hikes to shore up the state's ballooning budget deficit, Patrick on Wednesday proposed eliminating the sales tax exemption on candy and sweetened beverages, including sodas. If the Legislature adopts the measure, a 5 percent tax would be added to candy and soda purchases.

Two customers who stopped at a Brighton 7-Eleven for candy yesterday wanted no part of the tax plan.

"Oh, no," 11-year-old Justin Chung said when told that Patrick wants to tax soda and candy. "They should have taxes on food only. I'm broke."

His friend 10-year-old Anthony Germano said taxing soda was acceptable, because he doesn't drink it. "But not candy," he said, clutching a package of Sour Patch Kids he had just purchased. He paid $1.78 for two packs, which would have cost $1.87 if subject to the tax.

Patrick says a portion of the revenue from the increases will go to a new Commonwealth Wellness Fund, which would pay for public health programs intended to cut down on substance abuse and childhood obesity, among other health concerns. The administration pointed to research showing steady increases in the consumption of candy and soda since the mid-1980s.

"Evidence-supported data has shown that each of these products serve more as a detriment than a benefit on the health and well-being of an individual," the Patrick administration wrote in support of the budget proposal. "Removing the tax exemption for the purchase of sweetened soda and candy is a critical first step in discouraging the consumption of these empty calories."

But in a recession, even minuscule increases in costs to buyers can affect their behavior, a representative of store operators said yesterday.

"This is not the economy to be raising taxes on consumers," said Chris Flynn, president of the Massachusetts Food Association, which represents grocery store operators. "People's budgets are stretched to the maximum right now. They're buying down and only buying strict essentials. The last thing they need is another hit on them."

The measure also could complicate business for operators of vending machines, who would have to collect sales taxes. The Vending Machine Association, which represents suppliers, did not respond to requests for comment. The New England Convenience Store Association also did not comment yesterday.

Judd Braverman, manager of Hidden Sweets in Cambridge's Harvard Square, said his products are just what's needed for getting through a recession. Adding a tax could dampen the joy of biting into that sweet diversion, he contends.

"Candy is somewhat recession-proof," said Braverman, who estimated that candy sales are down about 15 percent this year. "This downturn we're definitely feeling it, but people are still grabbing that candy bar. It almost helps them get through the rough times. I guess this adds insult to injury."

John C. Drake can be reached at jdrake@globe.com.