Philadelphia leads the way with tax on soda

Philadelphia has become the first major city in the United States to impose a soda tax, despite a multimillion-dollar campaign by the beverage industry to block it.

The city council gave final approval on Thursday to a tax of 1.5 cents per ounce (28.34 grams) on sugary and diet drinks. It will take effect on Jan 1.

Only Berkeley, California, has a similar law. Soda tax proposals have failed in more than 30 cities and states in recent years, including twice in Philadelphia.