and other sweetened products to help curb the epidemic of obesity among Americans, and its harmful impact on overall health. Some speculate that higher taxes could help reduce soda consumption. Others say that taxes should help fund education to increase consumer awareness of the unhealthy effects of excessive soft drink consumption, and also help cover costs of caring for conditions resulting from overconsumption. The food and drink industry holds considerable clout in Washington, DC, as it has contributed more than $50 million to legislators since 2000. In January 2013, a British lobby group called for the price of sugary fizzy drinks to be increased, with the money raised (an estimated £1 billion at 20p per litre) to be put towards a "Children's Future Fund", overseen by an independent body, which would encourage children to eat healthily in school. In 2017, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain imposed a 50% tax on soft drinks and a 100% tax on energy drinks to curb excess consumption of the commodity and for additional revenue. Attempted ban In March 2013, New York City's mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed to ban the sale of non-diet soft drinks larger than 16 ounces, except in convenience stores and supermarkets. A lawsuit against the ban was upheld by a state judge, who voiced concerns that the ban was "fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences". Bloomberg announced that he would be appealing the verdict. The state appellate courts upheld the trial court decision, and the ban remains unenforceable as of 2021. See also Ade Craft soda Diet Coke and Mentos eruption Diet soda Phosphate soda Fizz-Keeper Hard soda Industrial gas Kombucha List of brand name soft drink products List of soft drink flavors List of soft drinks by country List of drinks Low-alcohol beer Nitrogenation Nucleation Premix and postmix Soda fountain Squash (drink) References Further reading "Beverage group: Pull soda from primary schools", USA Today, August 17, 2005. "After soda ban nutritionists say more can be done", The Boston Globe, May 4, 2006. "Critics Say Soda Policy for Schools Lacks Teeth The New York Times, August 22, 2006. External links Convenience foods