With Philadelphia becoming the first major U.S. city to adopt a "soda tax," I'm reading a lot of comments for and against this new measure.  Those in favor cite health statistics.  They claim sugary drinks contribute to obesity and diabetes so the higher cost will get people to make healthier beverage choices.  Those opposed to the tax say it's unfair to raise the price in a city where many people struggle to make ends meet.  The beverage industry vows to fight the tax so we'll be hearing much more about the soda tax in the coming months.

Could the soda tax actually be good for New Jersey?  I'm thinking of all the Philadelphians who vacation at the Shore.  Instead of grocery shopping in Pennsylvania and bringing their vacation provisions in the car, will they make their purchases here?  Will they also buy cases of soda in Jersey to bring back to Philly, to avoid paying the new tax?  It will be interesting if Ocean County retailers see an uptick in sales as a result of what's happening in Philly.

I wonder what types of customers will really be affected by the increase, which will amount to paying an extra $ .18 on a can of soda.  Is it mainly young people?   As I've gotten older, I've been drinking fewer sweet beverages.  Have your tastebuds changed like that as well?  I'll usually take a water or seltzer over a Sprite or Coke.  What about you?

 

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