Some legislators in Illinois are once again trying to pass a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.  But not all of the state’s lawmakers are in support of the proposal. Yesterday, Representative Don Moffitt, R-Ill., said that government regulations are not necessary in solving public health issues such as obesity and diabetes.

“We do need to address obesity and we do need to address diabetes, and I have a plan,” the Gilson Republican said to The Register Mail. “It’s called you put one foot in front of the other and you do that 10,000 times a day and keep your calories between 1500 and 2000, and you’ll have smaller government and solve those problems. We have the answer, we don’t need another government program to do it.”

We agree with Moffitt. The way to solve a complex issue like obesity is to teach people about the importance of balancing their calories, not restricting or taxing their choices through government regulations.  Soda consumption has been on the decline in recent years, while obesity rates continued to increase at the same time.  So how will targeting this one product make an impact?

It’s time for lawmakers to abandon these misguided policies and start working towards real and lasting solutions. That’s what the beverage industry is doing.  Just last year, America’s leading beverage companies set a goal to reduce beverage calories consumed per person by 20 percent by 2025.  With this groundbreaking initiative we are focused on bring consumers the information and options they need to achieve a balanced lifestyle.

Check out DeliveringChoices.org to learn more about our Balance Calories Initiative. And visit YourCartYourChoice.com to read more about why soda taxes are ineffective.