Soda Tax and Obesity

Study says small taxes on soda may not prevent childhood obesity.
The AP (4/1, Stobbe) reports that, according to a study published online April 1 in the journal Health Affairs, "small taxes on soda do little to reduce soft drink consumption or prevent childhood obesity." Analyzing data from "a 2004 national survey of about 7,300 fifth-graders," researchers found that "taxes made no real difference on overall soda consumption or on obesity for kids overall," but had "a small effect on certain children -- especially those from families with an annual income of $25,000 or less." The study authors suggested, however, that a tax of "18 cents on the dollar...would make a significant difference."