You could say something very similar about, like, salt, but salt is also an essential nutrient for the human body. It's just processed food in general that's the issue.
Sodium ( salt ) consumption deaths are not even 2M world wide per year. Sugar consumption deaths are 185 M a year world wide. The human body can handle natural sugars because of fiber. Sugars stick to the fibers of a fruit and help you digest it. When you drink a coke your body is like WTF is this! So processed sugar is the correct term.
Honestly I have no strong opinion on vice taxes, you’re absolutely right that they’re regressive taxes but also from what I understand they do work? And ultimately I do agree with the goal of having people drink and smoke less.
With the sugar sodas one though, there is a very easy alternative, since sodas with artificial sweeteners don’t have the tax.