Policy Approaches to Combating Obesity: A Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among New York adults is high: 25% are obese and another 35% are overweightⁱ. Obesity leads to a number of diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and cancer. Treating these diseases costs New York State nearly $7.6 billion per yearⁱⁱ.

Losing weight is very difficult. Preventing overweight, particularly among children, is therefore a key strategy for improving the health of the public. Daily physical activity is one way to prevent obesity. Policies that support this include regulations that ensure access to safe parks and recreation, and daily physical education and recess in schools.

Another important strategy is to reduce caloric intake. Reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is particularly important as they are the food group most strongly linked to increased rates of obesity and risk for diabetesⁱⁱⁱ. Taxes have been shown to be an effective way to discourage unhealthy behaviors^iv. In January 2010, New York State Governor David A. Paterson proposed a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages as a means to reduce consumption of high-calorie drinks.

SSB Tax Supporters in New York State

Organizations supporting the SSB tax can sign on to the Statement of Support for a NYS Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax.

On February 24, people who support the tax will be speaking with legislators in Albany about the importance of an SSB tax. To take part in this conversation, contact us.

The Center for Science in the Public's Interest can help you send a letter to your elected representatives in the New York Senate and Assembly.

Connect with others who support a tax

Drinking Yourself Fat on Facebook

NYSHEPA on Facebook

Educational Resources About the Benefits of a SSB Tax

Data, Reports, and Position Papers
American Cancer Society: Sugar Sweetened Beverages and the Link between Obesity & Cancer -ACS is taking no formal position on the ssb tax at this time
American Heart Association: Dietary Sugars Intake and Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the AHA
Healthy Eating Research and Bridging the Gap: Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes and Public Health: A research brief
NYS Comptroller Summary Report on Obesity Related Initiatives
New York State Department of Health: January 22, 2010 SSB Toolkit
NYSDOH County Data on Obesity and Diabetes
NYSDOH Legislative District Fact Sheets: Senate
NYSDOH Legislative District Fact Sheets: Assembly
NYS department of Health: Updated SSB Q&A 3/4/10
NYCDOHMH Fact Sheet on SSB Tax
129 Beverage Industry Products Exempt From the SSB Tax
Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, Yale University: Obesity Related Facts for New York

Websites
Center for Science in the Public's Interest: Liquid Candy Website
Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity: Hot Topics: Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes
New York State Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Alliance
Video of Dr. Richard F. Daines, New York State Health Commissioner, discussing the Soda Tax


USDA Food Environment Atlas
NYS Senate Health Committee Hearing on Food Policy
Sugar Stacks

Presentations
NYSDOH Presentation on Soft Drink Advertising


March 8 Symposium
NYS Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, MD Remarks
Dr. March-Joly Presentation
Dr. Kelly Brownell Presentation
Dr. Farley Presentation
Audio: Dr. Farley Speech (mp3 format)
Sample Memos and Letters
NYSHEPA: Sample Memo
NYSHEPA: Sample Letter
NYS Dental: Sample Memo of Support

Memos of Support
American Heart Association / American Stroke Association
Building Bridges, Building Knowledge, Building Health (BBKH) Coalition
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Chautauqua County Healthy Heart Worksites Program
Chautauqua County Health Network - SSB Memo to Legislators
Citizens' Committee for Children of New York Inc.
Coalition of New York State Public Health Plans
Community Health Care Association of New York State
Healthcare Association of New York State
Montefiore Medical Center
Montgomery County Public Health
The Mount Sinai Medical Center
The New York Local Action Network of the National Physicians Alliance
New York State Academy of Family Physicians
New York State Association of County Health Officials
New York State Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Alliance
New York State Nurses Association
Times Union
Public Health Association of New York City
Public Health Solutions
Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy

Journal Articles

Block JP, Chandra A, McManus, KD, and Willet, WC. Point-of-Purchase Price and Education Intervention to Reduce Consumption of Sugary Soft Drinks. American Journal of Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 17, 2010: http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/AJPH.2009.175687v1

Brownell KD, & Frieden TR. (2009). Ounces of prevention - the public policy case for taxes on sugared beverages. The New England Journal of Medicine. 360 (18), 1805-8.

Brownell KD, Farley T, Willett WC, Popkin BM, Chaloupka FJ, Thompson JW, et al. (2009). The public health and economic benefits of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages. The New England Journal of Medicine. 361 (16), 1599-605.

Chen, L, Appel, LJ, Loria, C, Lin, PH, Champagne, CM, Elmer, PJ, Ard, JD, Mitchell, D, Batch, BC, Svetkey, LP and Caballero, B. (2009) Reduction in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with weight loss: the PREMIER trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 89(5), 1299-1306

Duffey KJ, Gordon-Larsen P, Shikany, JM, Guilkey, D, Jacobs DR, Popkin, BM. (2010). Food Price and Diet and Health Outcomes: 20 Years of the CARDIA Study. Archives of Internal Medicine. 170 (5), 420-426.

Sepulveda, MJ, Tait, F., Zimmerman, E., Edington, D. (2010) Impact of Childhood Obesity on Employers. Health Affairs. 29(3), 513-521

Sturm, R., Powell, L.M., Chriqui, J.F. and Chaloupka, FJ. (2010) Soda Taxes, Soft Drink Consumption, And Children’s Body Mass Index. Health Affairs. Web exclusive.

Vartanian, L. R., Schwartz, M. B., & Brownell, K. D. (2007). Effects of Soft Drink Consumption on Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 97 (4), 667-675.

Welsh, JA., Sharma, A., Abramson, JL., Vaccarino, V., Gillespie, C., Vos, MB. (2010) Caloric Sweetener Consumption and Dyslipidemia Among US Adults. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 303(15): 1490-1497

News, Letters to the Editor, Editorials, and Press Releases

7/26/10Press Release: Statement of Support from New York's top public health and advocacy organizations for a tax on sugary beverages

6/24/10NYC DOHMN: Study – Preliminary Findings Highlight Potential Health Benefits of Proposed Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

6/24/10(Video) NY1: Study Indicates State "Soda Tax" Could Reduce Obesity

6/22/10The New York Observer: Pass the Soda Tax – By Bill De Blasio

5/27/10(Video) Straight Talk: Modified Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax Package

5/27/10New York Times: The Value of a Soda Tax

5/27/10The Chronicle: Soda tax alternative keeps focus on obesity

5/24/10American Heart Association Press Release: Drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages may lower blood pressure

5/23/10Wall Street Journal: Soda Tax Uncaps a Fight

5/23/10Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Op-Ed Supporting the SSB Tax

5/21/10NYAM: New York Academy of Medicine Applauds Governor’s New Proposal

5/21/10(Video) Capital Tonight: Soda Tax Not Flat Yet

5/20/10Press Release: From the Office of Bill DeBlasio Supporting SSB Tax

5/20/10The New York Times: Added Sugars Affect Cholesterol

5/19/10New York Times: New Strategy for Soda Tax Gives Diet Drinks a Break

5/14/10WAMC Northeast Public Radio: Sugar Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax – Dr. Joyce Vergili

5/2/10Washington Post: DC Council launching campaign against childhood obesity

5/2/10Denver Post: Colorado unwraps new sales tax on candy, soda

4/29/10The Buffalo News: Soda tax would shrink deficit and waistlines

4/29/10PR Newswire: More Than Half of Philadelphians Support a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax, New Poll Finds

4/29/10DCist D.C. Council to Consider Soda Tax

4/21/10Post-Star: Conquering obesity one soda at a time

4/21/10Time – Study: Added sugars can harm heart health

4/21/10Time – Study: Too Much Sugar Increases Heart Risks

4/21/10ABC World News: Soda Stats: How Those Empty Calories Add Up

4/21/10NPR Health Blog: In Obesity Fight, A Third Of Americans Support Soda Tax

4/21/10US NEWS: America's Sweet Tooth Harms Heart Health

4/21/10Fox News – Reuters: Added Sugar Increases Heart Risks

4/21/10Seattle Pi: Too Fat to Fight

4/20/10Times Union: Sugar Tax

4/20/10CA Center for Public Health Advocacy: Majority of California Voters Support Soda Tax According to Field Research Poll

4/19/10Roseville Press Tribune: California Senate Explores Soda’s Link To Youth Obesity & Diabetes – Hearing Tuesday

4/19/10The Journal News: From a soda aficionado, empty calories are worth paying a tax

4/16/10 Timesunion.com: (Video) Tonight on 'New York Now': Has the soda tax lost its fizz?

4/15/10Manhattan Style: Food Vouchers for Soda buy-back Program in Brooklyn

4/13/10BusinessWeek: Washington Legislature OKs package of tax hikes

4/12/10ABC Local: Sugar is evil fair (Video)

4/12/10Huffington Post: A Soda Tax Is a Good Policy to Reduce Obesity in the United states

4/12/10Scientific American: Costlier Cola Cuts Caloric Consumption

4/11/10The Daily Freeman: Will lawmakers do the right thing?

4/10/10Democrat And Chronicle: Taxes can deter bad habits

4/9/10Newsmax Health: 9 Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda Now

4/7/10TODAY Show: Video - Is taxing soda a good idea?

4/7/10New York Post Columnist Says "Facts Support the Tax" on Sugary Beverages

4/7/10Timesunion.com: Tax will help public health

4/5/10NYS Department of Health: State Health Commissioner Kicks Off 15-County National Public Health Week Tour in Rensselaer County

4/5/10The New York Times: A Tax to Combat America's Sugary Diet

4/2/10EmaxHealth: Higher Tax Needed on Soda to Curb Childhood Obesity

4/1/10Fast Company: Made to Stick: The Birth of a Sticky Idea

4/1/10New York State Department of Health: New Study Indicates that New York’s Proposed Sugary Beverage Tax Would Reduce Weight Gain in Youth: New York’s Tax Could Result in a 20% Reduction in Excess BMI Gain

4/1/10Syracuse Post-Standard: Levy on sugary drinks would help New Yorkers stay healthy

4/1/10redOrbit: RAND: More Taxes Needed to Curb Soda Consumption

3/28/10NY Daily News: State, city health chiefs: Hiking the price of sugary soft drinks in NY will raise money, save lives

3/28/10Times Union: A soda tax we can swallow

3/28/10Staten Island Advance: Islanders and their lawmakers should support tax on soda

3/26/10 Crain's New York: Crains health pulse Childhood Obesity Costs

3/24/20 The Buffalo News: Tax has health benefits: Penny-per-ounce sugary drink levy could help combat youth obesity

3/23/10 Times Union: Milk and water better choices

3/21/20 The Journal News: Lawmakers should pass 'soda tax'

3/21/10 NY Daily News: Soda tax failure would cost health care jobs, says Greater New York Hospital Association

3/21/10 Crains New York: Soda tax is a sweet idea

3/21/20 The Journal News: Passing the soda tax would help prevent devastating health-care cuts

3/20/10 The New York Times: Obesity and Sugary Drinks

3/15/10 The New York Times: Nutrition: Rise in Soda Price Linked to Better Health

3/14/10 Metro: One Sweet Reason for a Soda Tax

3/14/10 Crain's New York: A beverage tax would cut the fat

3/10/10 News 9’s Capital Tonight: http://legacy.news10now.com/shared/videolists/default.asp?VLID=1047&destlist=2723&current=2723

3/09/10 Yahoo! News: Tax soda, pizza to cut obesity, researchers say

3/09/10 The Daily News: Gov. Paterson gulps, pushes for soda levy: Senators say move will fall flat

3/09/10 The Gothamist: Soda Tax Gathering Momentum

3/08/10 NYAM: Governor Paterson, State Health Officials, Researchers and Advocates Hold Educational Forum to Examine the Effects of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages on Critical Health Issues such as Obesity

3/08/10 The Atlantic: Only You Can Encourage Soda Taxes

3/08/10 The New York Times: Healthy Solution: Taxing Sodas

3/07/10 The Daily News: Health officials ready to make push for statewide soda tax

3/07/10 The City of New York Office of the Mayor: Mayor Bloomberg Urges Albany to Pass a Penny-Per-Ounce Soda Tax to Reduce Childhood Obesity - With the Nearly $1 Billion in Revenue Going to Education and Medicaid - in Weekly Radio Address

3/04/10 NYAM Media Advisory: SSB Symposium on March 8

3/04/10 Timesunion.com: A tax that invests in our health

3/03/10 LoHud: PepsiCo, wake up to the reality of obesity

3/01/10 Democrat and Chronicle: Overdue attention on obesity

2/24/10 WNYC: Audio Soda Tax with Commissioner Daines

2/21/10 Los Angeles Times: Soft drink tax battle shifts to states

2/20/10 The Leader Herald: Tax good for our health

2/18/10 The Daily News: Q Poll: NYers High On Kelly, 'Fat-Tax' And Calorie Counts

2/16/10 Food Navigator-USA.com: New Mexico food tax passes state Senate

2/16/10 CSPI Newsroom: CSPI Urges Government Health Agency Urged to Drop Coca-Cola as Heart-Health Partner

2/16/10 The New York Times - Should Coke Talk About Heart Health?

2/16/10 NYS Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Alliance Letter to the Editor

2/12/10 The New York Times: Soda: A Sin We Sip Instead of Smoke?

2/10/10 NYSPHA Letter to the Editor

2/9/10 Testimony Presented by Richard F. Daines, M.D. New York State Commissioner of Health - Joint Legislative Budget Testimony

2/9/10 NYAM: The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) Strongly Supports Governor Paterson's Proposed Tax on sugar sweetened beverages

2/7/10 Los Angeles Times: Beverage industry douses tax on soft drinks

2/5/10 Statement by State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines on the Proposed Sugared Beverage Tax

2/4/10 Citizen's Committee for Children Press Release: Poll Demonstrates Strong Public Support For New Taxes on Sugar Sweetened Beverages

1/30/10 New York Times Letter to the Editor by Nancy Huehnergarth of NYSHEPA

1/28/10 GNYHA/1199 Press Release: New Yorkers Favor Soda Tax Over Cutting Health Funding

1/19/10 NYSPHA Press Release: NYS Public Health Association Says Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax is Good Public Health Policy

2/2/09 NYAM Supports State Soda Tax

For more information, please contact us.

i. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data [Data File]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2007.
ii. Office of the State Comptroller. Preventing and reducing childhood obesity in New York. 2008 Oct. http://www.osc.state.ny.us/reports/health/childhoodobesity.pdf
iii. Vartanian LR, Schwartz MB, Brownell KD. Effects of soft drink consumption on nutrition and health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am.J.Public Health. 2007;97(4):667-675.
iv. Healthy Eating Research and Bridging the Gap. (2009) Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes and Public Health: A research brief. Available at http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=45828.