Philadelphia Mayor Proposes 3-Cent-Per-Oz Soda Tax

Statement of CSPI President Michael F. Jacobson

February 29, 2016

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s proposal to tax soda at the rate of three cents per ounce deserves the support of all members of the city council. Soda is nutritionally worthless and incredibly cheap, but promotes chronic diseases that are incredibly expensive to treat, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Taxes can help reduce consumption, as well as provide revenue for much needed programs in cities like Philadelphia, and states for that matter.