Americans are set to eat more meat in 2018 than ever before!

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), people are eating more than 200 pounds of red meat and poultry on average per year.

Now, some researchers are suggesting a tax on meat in the U.S. and the proposal is anywhere from a 34 percent to 163 percent tax.

According an Oxford University study, the push is to protect meat consumers from the negative health impacts of eating it. Research has linked red and processed meat to cancer. Additionally, a new study predicts the meat tax could save 220,000 lives and cut healthcare costs by $41 billion a year.

Similar to a tax on sugary sodas, researchers believe beefing up the price of some meats could deter people from eating so much.

Reporter Nicole Vowell spoke with some meat-eaters, who say a tax may have them thinking twice about meat, especially if they have to pay more than double the price.

“If it was twice the price, don't know that we would buy it.”