费城开始征收苏打税
The city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania has become the first major U.S. city passing a soda tax.
宾夕法尼亚州费城成为美国首个通过苏打税的大城市。
The Philadelphia City Council on Thursday passed with a final vote of 13-4 the new soda tax of 1.5 cents per ounce, which adds approximately 18 cents to a can of soda.
Previously, only Berkeley of California passed a similar soda law in November 2014 with a 1-cent-per-ounce tax on soft drinks. More than 30 U.S. cities and states have failed to pass the soda tax law as it is criticized for disproportionately affecting the poor, who are more likely to consume sugary drinks.
Philadelphia estimates that the new tax will generate 91 million U.S. dollars in revenue annually if fully implemented.
The American Beverage Association (ABA) said the tax is unlawful and it violates Pennsylvania's state Constitution. It vowed to take legal action to repeal the measure.
"The tax passed today is a regressive tax that unfairly singles out beverages -- including low- and no-calorie choices," the ABA said in a statement.