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Illinois Medical Professionals Call for Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
A pack of smokes costs a lot because of taxes, now how about a bottle of soda?

The chairmen of the pediatrics departments at Illinois medical schools are advocating a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.

A letter the nine doctors have released says a tax of 1 cent per ounce would generate $14 billion a year that could be used to pay for health care. It also could discourage people from drinking such beverages. The letter claims the average American child takes in 172 calories a day from sugar-sweetened beverages.

The doctors admit habits take a long time to change and also speculate the soft-drink industry could have a lobby as strong as that for tobacco products.

(Illinois Radio Network)
09 27 09 by Newsroom
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