New York Gov. David Patterson (D) thinks so. By 5%, in fact!

Just last week, the Financial Times reported that the governor proposed a 18% sales tax on sales of all nondiet sodas and fruit drinks with less than 70% juice, including sports drinks. While a number of states currently impose sales taxes on non-essential foods like soft drinks, snacks, and sweets, this would be the first in the U.S. to make a distinction between regular (sugared) and diet (artificially sweetened) soft drinks.

Some health experts think the tax may discourage excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, as it has worked for cigarettes. But others (including the American Beverage Association, of course) argue that rising obesity rates should not be seen as the responsibility of a single food category. Instead, Americans need to learn that all foods in moderation can fit into a healthy, active, calorie-balanced lifestyle.

What do you think?