A Bay State lawmaker who has proposed extending Massachusetts’ sales tax to candy and soda compared sugary beverages to cigarettes yesterday as the boss of PepsiCo was in town to address business leaders and told reporters that would be bad policy.

“It’s irresponsible not to look at taxing sugar beverages and candy because of their link to obesity,” said Newton Rep. Kay Khan, whose bill is being reviewed by a House committee. “Companies are making millions by putting this out to people. It’s like cigarettes. It’s not good for people’s health.”

PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi’s company boasts 19 billion-dollar brands, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Seven-Up and Diet Pepsi.

Nooyi, who was speaking at a Boston College Chief Executives’ Club lunch, called obesity “a broad issue” that involves much more than sweetened beverages

Pepsi CEO takes on sugar tax – BostonHerald.com