Some Memphis taxpayers would like to see a tax on soda


MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Soda just got pricier.

Philadelphia approved a tax on the sugary drinks claiming it will generate $91 million a year and fight obesity.

The new tax will add 18 cents to a can of regular or diet soda or 1.5 cents per ounce.

That's on top of sales tax too.

The money is expected to fund pre-k, community schools and parks.

While nothing is on the table in Memphis, some taxpayers think we should consider it.

"The city is broke. or they claim they`re broke, so it's a good way to make some money," said one taxpayer.

Some said it would also benefit Memphis in other ways.

The south has a high obesity rate, and the Bluff City is no exception.

A tax may keep people away from the surgery drinks and push them to make healthy choices

The beverage industry ran a multi-million dollar campaign to stop the soda tax and called it "discriminatory and unpopular."

The soda tax has failed in more than 30 cities and states in recent years.

Mayor Jim Strickland told WREG a soda tax is not on his agenda at this time.

The American Beverage Association plans on fighting Philadelphia's soda tax in court.

Berkeley, California is the only other city to have a similar tax.
