Law: Recent Developments: Taxation of Sweetened Drinks

In an attempt to influence people to drink fewer sweetened drinks out of a concern for public health, most particularly to address obesity, several states have considered legislation that would impose taxes on sweetened beverages, thus making them more expensive. It is projected that the increased price of the drinks would discourage people from drinking them. Some states already tax these beverages for other reasons, such as litter abatement and to encourage recycling. Those who oppose these taxes include the manufacturers and more libertarian groups, who question the science behind the studies used to support the arguments for taxation and the limitations on personal choice.