Liquid Candy: How Softdrinks Are Harming America's Health
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Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks Are Harming America's Health

Press Release 1/10: New York State Tax on Soda Cheered by CSPI

Press Release 9/09: Taxing Soda Could Trim State Deficits (and Waistlines), Says Report

Press Release 6/09: Soda Taxes Can Help Fund Health Coverage and Prevention Programs, Say Experts

CSPI's 2005 Actions on Liquid Candy

Liquid Candy Report

Press Release: CSPI Calls on FDA to Require Health Messages on Sodas

Petition to FDA to Require Health Messages on Soft Drinks

Letter to Secretary Leavitt

Statement of CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson

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Existing Soft Drink Taxes

At least 25 states and the city of Chicago have small, special taxes on soft drinks sold in grocery stores and, in some cases, in vending machines.  An additional 10 states tax soft drinks (and snacks) only in vending machines.  (Taxes applied to soft drinks sold in vending machines are not typically special soft drink taxes, but rather a tax applied to all products sold in the vending machine).  Altogether, the states generate well over one billion dollars a year from those taxes.

Unfortunately, existing state taxes are too small to significantly reduce consumption and almost none of the revenues are earmarked for health promotion.

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Source: Chriqui JF, Eidson SS, Bates H, Kowalczyk S, Chaloupka FJ. State Sales Tax Rates for Soft Drinks and Snacks Sold through Grocery Stores and Vending Machines, 2007.  Data available at http://www.impacteen.org/obesitystatedata.htm