New research by the RAND Corporation shows putting small taxes on soft drinks does not decrease childhood obesity.

According to the new study, a 4 percent or less soda tax does not have an affect on the number of sugar drinks most kids consume.

Over 30 states have some form of soda tax averaging around 5 cents per dollar.

While the taxes tend to bring in a lot of extra money for struggling state budges, they do little to change buying habits and bring down childhood obesity.

"If the goal is to noticeably reduce soda consumption among children, then it would have to be a very substantial tax," said lead author Roland Sturm, a senior economist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization.

However, the Beverage Association says the study proves "taxes don't work. What does work is balancing the diet and exercise."

The RAND Corporation study is published in Health Affairs, a leading journal on health policy and research.