One of the most common myths about obesity is that taxing soda would somehow reduce it.  Common sense, along with facts, science and economics, tells us otherwise.  After all, you can’t tax your way to better health.

In fact, there is no evidence that a soda tax will have any effect whatsoever on obesity.  The two states that have excise taxes on soft drinks – West Virginia and Arkansas – rank in the top 10 most obese states in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The bottom line is – soda taxes are just bad policy and they will do nothing to address the complex issue of obesity.  That’s one reason why the public policy debate is moving on from taxes and bans and onto real solutions.

Check out LetsClearItUp.org for more information on this and other topics.