Italy Ponders Beverage Tax

Italy’s health minister Renato Balduzzi is considering a national tax on unhealthy beverages of 3 Euro cents per bottle, according to Reuters. The news agency reports that such a tax could generate up to $312.9 million in revenue, which could be used to offset public health costs in Italy.

A similar tax on soft drinks already exists in France, whereas the United States has struggled to implement its own tax because of opposition from the beverage industry.

Reuters says it is unclear which drinks would be affected in Italy.