LONDON – Already, a proposed tax on soda in the United Kingdom has drawn both supporters and opponents. The tax, details of which have yet to be released by the government, is anticipated to come into effect in April 2018. In March, former chancellor George Osborne revealed a levy on beverages with more than 5 grams of sugar per 100 milligrams as part of an overall strategy to address childhood obesity.

However, U.K. health experts are calling for a 20% carbonated drink tax. Now, convenience stores, pubs and manufacturers, among other businesses, have banded together to launch the Face the Facts, Can the Tax campaign, The Guardian reports. The campaign points out that the tax will only increase prices on beverages, risk thousands of jobs and do little to help fix the obesity problem.

A July study found that such a tax would lower sales of soda by a mere 1.6% but would likely ax more than 4,000 jobs and siphon £132 million from the nation’s economy. “We absolutely agree with the government that obesity levels are too high and action is needed, but burdening businesses and consumers with an ineffective tax is not the answer,” said Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association. The member organization is underwriting the campaign.

Meanwhile, in Australia, similar measures are underway, with politicians and organizations clamoring for a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. In June, the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores slammed the move as a lazy way to address a complex problem.