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Mixed outcomes in California on measures to tax sugary drinks show such controversial initiatives can succeed, but it will not be easy.

Berkeley became the first community in the U.S. to approve a tax on sodas and sugary drinks following the Nov. 4 elections, while San Francisco failed to garner the two-thirds support it needed to pass a similar measure.

As a result, beginning Jan. 1, 2015, shoppers in Berkeley will pay an extra one-cent per ounce on sugar-sweetened drinks and some of the sweetners used in such drinks, including sodas, energy drinks and presweetened teas, but not on diet drinks, milk products, 100% juice beverages, infant formula, alcohol or medical drinks, according to the measure.

The measure in the liberal- an health-concious-stongholds of Berkeley and San Francisco were seen by many as a litmus test for whether other communities should pursue such taxes after similar measures have consistenly failed elsewhere previously. As such, the campaigns generated significant national attention and prompted opponents to spend more than $10 million in Berkeley alone in an effort to squash the measure and discourage future attempts alsewhere.