Should Government Tax Soda to Keep People Healthy?

February 5, 2012, 11:24 am | Health, Politics, U.S.

A new report blames sugary soda for the deaths of 6,000 Americans in the last decade, saying it contributes to obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The analysis from researchers at the University of California at San Francisco has renewed debate over a proposed tax on soft drinks to help reduce obesity.

New York state has considered a penny-per-ounce tax on sodas, excluding diet sodas that don’t contain sugar. The plan got a big boost from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said in his radio address that a soda tax “makes sense,” because it could save lives and cut health care costs, and generate revenue for the state’s schools and other programs.

Advocates who support the idea say it’s similar to a tax on cigarettes and alcohol, and could improve the public’s health, but not all critics are convinced the government should be making that choice for consumers.

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