A can of pop could soon cost more if Dietitians of Canada has anything to say about it.
The group is calling for a tax of up to 20 per cent to be placed on these drinks, and it's not just soda. It wants the new tax to be applied to all sugar-sweetened beverages, including chocolate milk.
The group said higher prices would reduce consumption of drinks it links to a variety of health problems.
"It can have an effect on chronic conditions such as diabetes and overall heart health." said dietitian Coralee Hill.
As for whether or not a tax could actually reduce consumption of sugar drinks, the group points to Mexico as a success story.
In 2013, A 10 per cent tax was imposed in Mexico. It resulted in a 12 per cent decline in sugar-sweetened purchases just one year later.
Some feel it would work here in Canada, too.
"You can get no name pop for next to nothing. Bottled water is almost the same price right?" said Landan Robson-Hysko. "That could cause a lot of people to drink pop."
If the tax was imposed, the extra money wouldn't just go into government coffers.
Instead, Dietitians of Canada wants the money to be used to increase access to healthy foods, and improve educational initiatives.
