Bill Clinton opposes soda tax

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- A federal tax on soda pop is not the way to fight childhood obesity in America, said former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Speaking to ABC News, the former president said prevention and wellness are the best ways to help the nation's youngsters to avoid obesity.

"I'm doing everything I can on this obesity thing," Clinton said. "I think the better thing to do is to give incentives right across the board for prevention and wellness."

Clinton's remarks Wednesday came a day after the Center for Science in the Public Interest urged the Senate Finance Committee to adopt a tax on non-diet soft drinks. The group says a tax on soda pop and alcoholic beverages would generate funding for expanded healthcare coverage, ABC reported.

"Because soft drinks have been a major contributor to obesity in recent decades, and because obesity is a major cause of diabetes, hypertension, strokes, heart attacks and cancer, Congress should impose a new excise tax on non-diet soft drinks, including both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages," said Dr. Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

ABC noted that although Clinton does not support taxing soda, his Alliance for a Healthier Generation has worked with beverage makers to reduce the caloric content of drinks sold in school vending machines.