Kelly Brownell of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity said a federal tax could cut consumption of sweetened beverages. An added tax on alcohol could reduce drinking and help fund medical care of alcohol-related conditions, Brownell said, comparing it to high cigarette taxes.
However, Senator Charles Grassley called them “nuisance taxes”, while Kevin Keane, a spokesman for the American Beverage Association, said: “It wouldn’t even make a dent in addressing the healthcare challenge or the obesity challenge.”
*USA Today* reported the taxes will probably not be added to this year’s healthcare legislation, though it has been considered by the Senate Finance Committee.
Source: United Press International
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