(WTIC-AM) -- The American Heart Association and Connecticut pediatricians today lent their support to the governor's plan to tax sugar-laden soft drinks.
American Academy of Pediatrics Connecticut Chapter Medical Director Sandra Carbonari says eating too much sugar contributes to childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
"Sugary drinks are the number one source of added sugars in the American diet," Carbonari said. "At least one fourth of Connecticut children drink at least one 12-ounce soda or sugar-sweetened beverage every day. That is over 9 teaspoons of sugar in one 12-ounce serving."
But the American Beverage Association says increasing taxes on sweetened soft drinks will prompt some shoppers to cross state lines to avoid the tax.
The soda-makers say taxing their products would cost Connecticut jobs.
The tax would apply to drinks with added sweeteners like sugar or corn syrup, but not to juices without any added sweeteners.
The tax would not apply to chocolate milk or to nutrition drinks.