The Union ministry of health and family welfare is collecting data from scientists and research institutions on ill-effects of soft drinks and other carbonated beverages. This exercise, the first of its kind, has been taken up by the ministry in the backdrop of research reports by various laboratories that consumption of soft drinks is not good for the health of people. The reports are worrisome since children and adolescents are the largest consumers of soft drinks and carbonated beverages. Accordingly, the Indian Council of Medical Research has asked labs and scientists to submit whatever data they have on the subject by this month-end. "Since, this issue is of national importance and in the public interest, scientists all over the country are requested to share their findings,' said Dr G.S. Toteja, senior scientist at ICMR. "They can send in published/unpublished data/study and even details of ongoing research.' Dr Toteja told this correspondent that the ICMR had already got 120 research papers and it was looking for more such studies to prepare a comprehensive report.