WASHINGTON (September 17, 2009)--A group of nutrition and economics experts wants to tax soft drinks, by the ounce, saying that a penny-per-ounce tax on sodas could raise revenues, lower interest in sugary beverages, and discourage people from consuming extra calories.

The group says it could also lead to an annual two-pound weight loss for soda drinkers, on average.

The Arkansas surgeon general, New York City’s health commissioner and five national experts on health and economics outline the plan in an article in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The authors cite studies showing higher rates of obesity and diabetes among women who drink more sugar-sweetened beverages and say a steeper soda tax would use the same strategy that helped drive down cigarette smoking while raising government revenues.

“The reasons to proceed are compelling. The science base linking the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to the risk of chronic diseases is clear. Escalating health care costs and the rising burden of diseases related to poor diet create an urgent need for solutions, thus justifying government's right to recoup costs,” the authors wrote

“Much as taxes on tobacco products are routine at both state and federal levels because they generate revenue and they confer a public health benefit with respect to smoking rates, we believe that taxes on beverages that help drive the obesity epidemic should and will become routine.”

More than 30 states already charge sales tax on soft drinks, but generally these taxes are fairly small.