[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Sugary soft drinks kill 184,000 adults every year, scientists claim.
And there could be a ticking time bomb because those under 45 consume more artificially sweetened drinks and are more at risk of diabetes and obesity.
The worldwide study is the first to estimate deaths and disability from diabetes, heart disease, and cancers caused by the drinks.
It said 133,000 deaths from diabetes, 45,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 6,450 deaths from cancer were caused by fizzy drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks and sweetened ice teas in 2010.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/heal...nd-cancer.html

The worldwide study is the first to estimate deaths and disability from diabetes, heart disease, and cancers caused by the drinks.

Key word for me is "estimate".

Unlike a person whose health deteriorates from excessive smoking or alcohol consumption, there is no way of narrowing down someone's heart problems, weight problems or anything else to.... a soft drink. Unless they literally live on coca cola.

Not to mention, I don't think we've reached the point where anyone diagnosed with cancer can have a "cause" identified outside of hypotheticals.

Even if they could, I don't think taxing will make one iota of difference. No more than tax on alcohol has eradicated alcoholism.