UPDATE 2-Coke, bottler launching campaign against soda tax

* Coke says campaign to include ads, education, PR

* Ads to run in seven key U.S. markets

* Campaign to promote healthy lifestyle, diet

* Advocates of soda tax seek to fight U.S. obesity problem
(Adds comment)

NEW YORK, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Coca-Cola Co (KO.N) and its
largest independent bottler, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc (CCE.N),
are mounting a campaign against a possible U.S. tax on soft
drinks.

In addition to a print and digital ad campaign in seven key
U.S. markets including Washington, D.C., New York and Los
Angeles, the effort will include public relations, speaking
engagements and education designed to emphasize to consumers
the benefits of a balanced diet and lifestyle that includes
exercise.

"Clearly, the threat of a soft drink tax demonstrates the
need to better educate our consumers on what we're doing to be
part of the solution to the obesity problem in the United
States," said Coke spokeswoman Diana Garza, adding that its
efforts to fight obesity are ongoing.

There have been increasingly vocal calls for taxes on
sugary drinks and junk food to help fight the problem of
obesity in the United States. [ID:nN01510799]

News of Coke's campaign was first reported on the website
of the company's hometown newspaper, The Atlanta Journal
Constitution, citing an interview with Coke Enterprises' chief
executive, John Brock.

The paper said the penny-per-ounce tax that has been
suggested would increase the cost of a 12-pack of soda by
$1.44, which Brock called "mind-boggling."

"The Coca-Cola Company and our bottlers believe the
solution to obesity does not lie in attacking one product or by
taxing middle-income Americans," Garza said.

Since Congress will ultimately decide whether a tax is
imposed, the newspaper said the campaign is expected to include
political publications and websites in Washington.

A strongly worded report on child obesity released earlier
this month recommended that state and local governments tax
junk food and soft drinks, while the American Heart Association
said people should limit their sugar intake and said soft
drinks were the No. 1 source of added sugars in the American
diet.
(Reporting by Martinne Geller; Editing by Dave Zimmerman,
Matthew Lewis, Gary Hill)