Carbonated beverages are proposed aspecial consumption tax of 10 per cent. File photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Viet Nam Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Association (VBA) recently proposed that the State administration impose a special consumption tax of 10 per cent on carbonated beverages.

In a proposal sent to the National Assembly, Viet Nam's legislature, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance, VBA called the proposed tax "rational," adding that it is "applied by many countries," Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Carbonated beverages contain a level of acidity that is 100,000 times higher than normal water, which can lead to obesity, according to several studies.

The reaction between the drinks' saturated carbon dioxide (CO2) and acid in the body creates pressure on the stomach and intestines; and is especially harmful to those who suffer from ulcers. — VNS