The details of Philly’s proposal are outlined by NPR in a piece for the outlet’s “The Salt” column, which focuses on food-related news. “Taxing Sugar: 5 Things You Need to Know About Philly’s Proposed Soda Tax” begins by informing readers that today (June 9), the Philadelphia City Council voted to “approve a 1.5 cents-per-ounce surcharge on sweetened beverages.” Like the sales tax on items such as cigarettes, this measure is meant to discourage people from purchasing sugary drinks and if the final vote on June 16 lands in favor of the tax’s supporters, Philadelphia would become the first major United States city with such a fee.
As cited in the article, “the estimated $91 million tax revenue over the next year would be used to fund the city’s education programs, including expanded prekindergarten. It would also pay for park improvements and help pad the city’s general fund.” For supporters of the proposal, the tax revenue resulting from helping keep people healthier makes the decision a no-brainer, but there are some opponents. Predictably, the American Beverage Association is staunchly against the measure, arguing that a tax would be detrimental to much of the beverage industry. And, while the argument that a tax would only bring an onus onto the shoulders of the consumer brings up a fair point, it does appear that supporters have the advantage of medical research behind them.
If the trend in Philadelphia catches on, Sprite’s recent ad campaign featuring Drake, Nas, Rakim, and others may prove to be the last time Hip-Hop and soda join forces.
Article Appeared @http://ambrosiaforheads.com/2016/06/a-proposed-tax-on-soda-is-proving-theres-no-more-room-for-sugar-coating/