Why Tax Soft Drinks?

Taxing the one beverage or food that has been shown to promote weight gain is a sensible means of reducing consumption and generating revenues that could help fund health-care and obesity-prevention measures. "A small tax, such as a 5% sales tax would generate revenues without significantly affecting consumption, while a larger tax, such as a penny per ounce (12 cents per can), would raise more money and reduce consumption. Tobacco taxes have contributed to reductions in cigarette consumption and smoking rates, particularly among children." Taxing soft drinks is both ridiculous and sensible at the same time. It is ridiculous because people should not have to be taxed on their favorite beverage. It would cause chaos and protest. It is sensible because of the affects that soft drinks have made on our population. They are one of the bas reasons for our huge problem of obesity in the United States. I think that soft drinks should be taxed in effort to promote health in our country.