Philadelphia becomes the first major US city to take brave action and pass a tax on soda, despite fierce resistance from the beverage industry:
NPR: Philadelphia Becomes 1st Major U.S. City To Pass A Tax On SodaThe tax, which amounts to 1.5 cents per ounce, will hit most beverages with added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Big Soda is, not so surprisingly, fighting this, claiming that the tax is not only discriminatory but also unwelcomed by Americans and illegal. But Mayor Kenney voted for the passing of the law, and says he's ready to fight for it.
Philadelphia joins Berkeley, the first US city with a soda tax, and countries like Mexico and the UK who have already decided to tax soda. The trend is clear - sugar is the new tobacco.