A proposed California tax would charge one cent for every ounce of fizzy, sugary soda purchased. This means a can of soda would cost an extra 8 cents and a Big Gulp would be 44 cents more expensive than before. The purpose of the tax is twofold: 1) discourage excessive soda consumption, 2) the fund raised would fund statewide programs raised at reducing childhood obesity.
Read more at http://www.californiahealthline.org/features/2013/statewide-soda-tax-gaining-momentum-in-calif-legislature.aspx
PS: It didn't pass. Below is an article explaining that it was not believed that this would actually reduce soda consumption.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_23310263/mercury-news-editorial-california-soda-tax-concept-falls
"The state has to rein in those costs, and investing in nutrition education would help. But the problem is federal, too. The government still subsidizes unhealthy food products such as corn syrup."