Philadelphia is 1st major American city with soda tax

Philadelphia became the first major American city with a soda tax on Thursday despite a multimillion-dollar campaign by the beverage industry to block it. The City Council gave final approval to a 1.5 cent-per-ounce tax on sugary and diet beverages. The tax is set to take effect Jan. 1. Only Berkeley, California, has a similar law. Soda tax proposals have failed in more than 30 cities and states in recent years, including twice in Philadelphia. Such plans are typically criticized as disproportionately affecting the poor, who are more likely to consume sugary drinks. The tax, which passed 13-4, was a hard-fought win for the city. The soda industry spent millions of dollars in advertising against it, arguing it will be costly to consumers. The plan also attracted national attention and dollars, with former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Texas billionaires John and Laura Arnold, advocates for less consumption of sugary drinks, funding ads in support. The American Beverage Association called the soda tax "discriminatory and highly unpopular." "The tax passed today is a regressive tax that unfairly singles out beverages, including low- and no-calorie choices," it said a statement...more

Think of the precedent this sets.  The Deep Thinkers pick a product they don't like, tax it, then spend the revenue on pet projects.  Can you think of a product these types believe is both bad for the environment and bad for your health?