Coke, bottler launching campaign against soda tax

[underpants]

Source: Reuters

* Companies launching campaign to fight soda tax

* Coke says effort includes ads, education, PR
(Changes sourcing, adds bullet points, Coke comment)

NEW YORK, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Coca-Cola Co (KO.N) and its
largest independent bottler, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc (CCE.N),
are teaming up on a campaign against a possible U.S. tax on
soft drinks.

In addition to a print and digital ad campaign in seven key
U.S. markets including Washington D.C., New York and Los
Angeles, the effort will include public relations, speaking
engagements and education designed to emphasize to consumers
the benefits of a balanced diet and lifestyle that includes
exercise.

"Clearly, the threat of a soft drink tax demonstrates the
need to better educate our consumers on what we're doing to be
part of the solution to the obesity problem in the United
States," said Coke spokeswoman Diana Garza.

The paper said the penny-per-ounce tax that has been
suggested would increase the cost of a 12-pack of soda by
$1.44, which Brock called "mind-boggling."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN2937732920090929

[LisaM]

1. I'll take their side if they'll take HFCS out of their product

Otherwise, forget it. That stuff has poisoned this country.

[Jkid]

29. Agreed.

I actually drunk Sprite when I was in the UK, and it tasted a lot better than Sprite in the US.

[Bill219]

2. You know what is really mind- boggling???

That Coke charges almost $4 to almost $5 dollars for a 12 pack of that carbonated garbage

[SoCalNative]

3. Mind boggling? Really?

"The paper said the penny-per-ounce tax that has been
suggested would increase the cost of a 12-pack of soda by
$1.44, which Brock called "mind-boggling."

If an additional $1.44 breaks your budget then you shouldn't be buying the soda in the first place.

[DJ13]

4. It would hurt a lot of less well off people

Please stop the elitism.

[SoCalNative]

8. It's not elitism

you don't need soda or chips. They have absolutely NO nutritional value.

[DJ13]

10. Theres a great many things in life we dont "need"

But what kind of country would that leave us living in?

[handmade34]

12. why defend huge corporations making millions

by marketing an incrediably unhealthy mixture of water, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavorings, colorings and caffeine?? Taxing soda would potentially provide needed revenue to benefit all of us.
Soda is a luxury item and people that can afford to buy it, can afford to pay extra tax on it.

[mamaleah]

13. I make some pretty tasty, sugary, artery clogging goodies in my kitchen.

Any plans to tax the raw ingredients? Because I could probably give twinkie a run for their money. I mean...in hopes of making us all rabbit food munching zombies who only do what out betters tell us is good for us?

Anything not needed for life should be heavily taxed then. TV, internet, cable.....I am sure it will be fine until it runs against something you "need".

[handmade34]

15. and I support your right to make those goodies...

I enjoy rum and I have no problem paying extra (tax) for it

[mamaleah]

20. So everything "bad"

should be taxed? Part of the process of building better citizens?

[handmade34]

21. rum is bad??? I don't think so

[DJ13]

14. Because this tax wouldnt be punishing those corporations

This would only punish the consumer.

Suppose this tax is enacted.....then what will be next?

Will it be something you enjoy, but others disapprove of?

What will be the ultimate end game, when life here in the US is as mundane and tedious as the old Soviet Union?

[handmade34]

16. I believe your argument is foolish

my study and understanding of our history, assures me that we will not become the "old Soviet Union" because we tax soda.

[DJ13]

18. Why do you hate things others enjoy that you dont?

Thats not a very liberal mindset, and its the same basic mindset that HAS led to the formation of some of the worst examples of repression this world has seen.

True its just soda today, but does it stop there?

[kirby]

17. A healthier less obese one? n/t

[BulletproofLandshark]

11. How is not having soda going to hurt anyone?

If I couldn't afford it I'd miss it. But there's no point in pretending it's anything but a luxury.

[twitomy]

22. This tax proposal has nothing to do trying to keep people healthy.

Its just another grab of peoples money. For some its the only "luxury" they can afford. If they truly want to keep people healthy, then ban the damn stuff. But then again, Im sick of the creeping nanny-state as well...

[mamaleah]

30. DING DING! Someone either got it or will admit they get it.

You are right. It's just like cigarette taxes aren't about getting people healthy either. It's about a new way to make a grab for people's money.

No one ever wants to admit that it's just a new scam.

[DesertFlower]

6. i agree. i occassionally drink "diet coke".

[underpants]

7. As I understood it it was a QUARTER of a cent per ounce

I think that is a built in lie that will become fact by the time Morning Joke, Dobbs, and Fox n Friends repeat it 25 times each tomorrow

[bluestateguy]

5. I could care less if this passes or not

which I guess means that I'm sort of de facto for it, but without any energy or enthusiasm.

It's just frustrating that every time you try to do something in Washington, some crybaby interest group has to throw a temper tantrum about it.

[Psephos]

25. Resisting a regressive tax is not crybaby activity, nor is resisting paternalism. n/t

[DumpDavisHogg]

9. As long as they don't exempt that diet garbage

This tax wouldn't be so bad, except they keep trying to exempt diet soft drinks, which are downright poison.

[twitomy]

24. The diet crap sint any healthier IMHO..NT

[ZombieHorde]

19. Good for Coke. nt

[mopinko]

23. who is behind those stupid astroturf commercials?

citizens against something something- beverage taxes or some such rot that run on msnbc. so phony they make me crazy. i will give coke credit if they at least run something and put their damn name on it.

[madeline_con]

27. Americans Against Food Taxes

http://nofoodtaxes.com/

[IndianaGreen]

26. Think of the millions of people that will vote against those that supported the soda tax.

I count myself among them!

[Kurska]

28. I love how people claim Liquids need to have nutrional value, WATER has no nutrtional value either.

Liquids hydrate us, that is all they need to do.

[depakid]

31. Diana Garza et al. had better use some focus groups next commercial out

Because the last one they aired simply pissed everyone off- and made it ever so much easier for a responsible tax to pass.