Fat Tax the Answer?

" Like Tony I -- you guys you'll always email me once still lots -- not much. I -- Catholic episode in the day that the special for your -- natural you actually doesn't drink a lot of soda. I love into the diamond district every -- today's segment is going to get you all fired up I cannot credit predicted to send me your comments. Pro and con to go -- diamond one word on Twitter or FaceBook. I'm talking today about drinking sell then getting fat -- paying for medical bills should we tax soda and other soft drinks filled with high. Fructose corn syrup. -- people who are overweight. Pay more for health insurance. Like someone who gets in mark accidents but my next guest says such as sin tax will hurt poor people the most as well as her corporate clients. Susan -- president and CEO of the American Beverage Association joins me today in the diamond district. Susan thank you very much boy this is not it's yeah. Any of the health care reform legislation right now as far as we can -- because it's so convoluted. Everything that they're doing up there on the hill so why do you guys think you are you being pro active and -- and there's talk and speculation. That it may be in the legislation."

" Well there had been talk -- it is outside congress as you say no when -- included in the formal bill yet so. That's a good they would like congress is listening to the American public is that they don't want this past."

" I -- listening to the American public are they listening to the big time. Lobbyist I mean you can't dispute the fact that that sugary sodas and sugary sports drinks -- I just focusing on the sodas but. All of beverages that act isn't -- cranberry juice Boeing has tons of sugar drink any of that full disclosure because of the calories. You can't dispute that they aren't just loaded with calories. And a big reason why Americans are overweight you can't dispute that right -- I know your association is cutting back. They calorie sodas in schools because of that back. But we didn't."

" Count -- calories that's what The New England Journal of Medicine said in an article -- that -- calories count so what do I tell my kids -- get enough exercise logic Alex. You ride the industry has -- six calories an -- overwhelm. -- averages like 21%. In the last at ten years so there aren't choices out there. But calories calories says there's nothing unique about your power is from beverages with shipping and handling public."

" Seven in the category that -- In what you need is that one little kid and you get a lot of calories and a lot of sugar so that's the problem right parent also. It's like this -- you have the tobacco industry -- got hit because that led to the spiraling. Health care costs so people are singled up. We can lower consumption. And also raised money to pay for somebody's medical costs that that people like me who don't drink soda. I didn't stop paying for people would do."

" Well this tax is that going to work look at the two states in the country that have attacks similar to what's been talked about. Both have the highest some of the highest obesity rates in the country. Head back out is not in the same universe as beverages with sugar and tobacco can tell you that the proven back."

" So why did Harry gadget that's at Societe heart attack so could be an overweight now. So could be an overweight as a lot of reasons were over away we gotta get enough exercise along with watching your calories that you can enjoy is nothing if you're healthy person. That -- the fat so you think they get to the point Susan we're you that you're going to have to add just zero calorie and -- you know artificially sweetened soda is it going to have to get to that point that you're not under attack. Well we have."

" the -- from what your choice they've got video of Harrison got beverages with caffeine without caffeine with vitamins with different kinds of flavors so. Innovation and the market is responding giving -- lots of choices to choose what's right for you couldn't get enough exercise while you do it. Susan how much money you -- spending on lobbying to make sure -- Minnesota taxes not included in the legislation. -- up they're talking that hybrids and people in their districts are talking to congress leave as they've sent seven senator. Percent of the American public says this and attack the bad idea. I think Ali Zardari and the child and -- Yeah a million and haven't known that not --"

" Adding. That like that what you -- how it got a lot that's. You guys are spending money with which got its way out for the -- not for me to be there on also educating people about the fact that. Soda is sugary have a lot of calories at -- drink in moderation Susan neatly thank you very much for joining -- the diamond district today. Eggs -- back."