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Bay Area Measures To Tax Sodas Hold Healthy Lead

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF/AP) -- Partial returns show three ballot measures to tax soda and other sugary drinks are leading in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Measures in San Francisco, Oakland and Albany would each levy a penny-per-ounce tax.

The San Francisco and Oakland measures are leading with more than 60 percent of the vote Tuesday while the measure in Albany has a 72 percent lead.

Backers say the taxes would curb consumption of drinks that contribute to diabetes and other serious health problems.

Opponents say the tax is regressive and would hurt working families and businesses.

The tax would apply to regular soda, sweetened tea and sports drinks with sugar. It wouldn't apply to diet sodas or naturally sweetened drinks.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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