Philadelphia on Thursday June 16,2016 became the first major US city to vote to
tax sugary drinks, fighting off a multi-million dollar challenge from
the beverage industry.
At about 50 cents a liter, the tax will apply to sweetened drinks, including those with artificial sweetener.
It covers not only sodas but also sports drinks, flavored water, energy drinks and pre-sweetened coffee and tea, the mayor's office said.
The only exceptions are for drinks comprised of at least 50 percent milk, fresh fruit or fresh vegetables.
Berkeley, California, with a population of about 120,000 residents, is the only other city in America to tax soft drinks.
Philadelphia's city council approved the tax by 13 to four votes on Thursday, after months of deliberation.
It is set to go into effect in January2017
At about 50 cents a liter, the tax will apply to sweetened drinks, including those with artificial sweetener.
It covers not only sodas but also sports drinks, flavored water, energy drinks and pre-sweetened coffee and tea, the mayor's office said.
The only exceptions are for drinks comprised of at least 50 percent milk, fresh fruit or fresh vegetables.
Berkeley, California, with a population of about 120,000 residents, is the only other city in America to tax soft drinks.
Philadelphia's city council approved the tax by 13 to four votes on Thursday, after months of deliberation.
It is set to go into effect in January2017
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