US: Public opposed to soft drinks fat tax

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 21 January 2009

Nearly two thirds of New York State citizens oppose a plan by their governor, David Paterson, to introduce an obesity tax on regular soft drinks, according to an independent poll.

Voters opposed the tax by 64% to 32%, in a poll by Quinnipiac University published at the end of last week.

Soft drinks such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi would be hit by an 18% sales tax under a proposal announced by by New York state governor David Paterson in his budget speech on 16 December.

He claimed that a tax could save the health service US$539m annually by 2010-11. Health Department figures show that nearly one in four young people under 18 are obese.

Soft drinks firms have rejected the move, arguing it is not a serious answer to obesity and that it will hit "those least able to pay".

Sectors: Soft drinks