Hawaii soda drinkers and retailers can relax: the proposed sugary-beverage tax has fizzled out at the Legislature.

Big Island Sen. Josh Green’s Senate Bill 3019 would have charged distributors a 1 cent tax per teaspoon of sugar in a beverage, syrup or powder. (A can of Coke contains about 10 teaspoons.) It was deferred by Green’s Health Committee Wednesday afternoon.

To get a flavor for the opposition against the bill, read testimony online.

A similar attempt last year by Gov. Neil Abercrombie failed amid strong pushback from the businesses and some lawmakers who argued whether the move was more of a revenue grab instead of an effort at health reform. The measure was expected to generate $50 million annually.