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How effective is a tax on soda?

Philadelphia is set to become the first major city to introduce a soda tax.

Next week, the Philadelphia City Council is expected to vote on and approve a tax on soda. If it does, both regular soda and diet soda would be taxed at a rate of 1.5 cents per ounce. Mayor Jim Kenney pitched the idea by touting the revenue that such a tax would raise, stating that it would support pre-kindergarten and other initiatives. But other efforts to pass a soda tax have frequently raised questions about its potential public health benefits.

Click the audio player above to hear more about how effective a soda tax might be in the fight against obesity and related diseases.

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