Would Taxing Beer Reduce Consumption, Waistlines?

LANSING (WWJ) - How does beer figure into Governor Rick Snyder's health reform message?

Gov. Snyder wants the state to lose weight and one place to start might be the 29 gallons of beer consumed annually per capita in Michigan.

WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick said less consumption might equal fewer people who are overweight.

"Reduce that consumption with perhaps a beer tax and people might get lighter," Skubick said.

Dr. Dean Sienko, head of the Ingham County Health Department, said he would be on board with a potential beer tax.

"I support a beer tax," Sienko said. "I think studies have generally shown that when you raise a tax on something, use of that product goes down."

The governor, however, has not endorsed a beer tax increase, but he might get the recommendation from a health summit that took place in Lansing on Wednesday.

Read more on Gov. Snyder's plan for a healthier Michigan, here.