SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- San Francisco is looking to implement a new tax on sodas and other sugary drinks in the city. The tax would be 2 cents on every ounce of soda, which equals about 25 cents a can. The money would raise an estimated $31 million for city fitness programs.
Scott Wiener, a city councilman who has been trying to pass the tax, says he is prepared for a fight with soda sellers. In response to the criticism of the tax, he says, "The approach is similar to the approach we took with tobacco taxes. We're never going to be able to go dollar-for-dollar with the beverage industry. They have unending resources but we're going to be able to raise enough money to get our message out."
It's not only the soda sellers that are going to be resisting the new tax. Chris Miles, a patron of one of San Francisco's successful soda shops, says, "I don't know if taxing people any more than they are already taxing us would really help the situation at home."
The tax will be introduced to the city council Tuesday night.
[CBS San Francisco]
