Today almost one-third of children in the United States are obese or overweight. Many studies have demonstrated a link between obesity and the consumption of sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). According to nutritional standards, sugar-sweetened beverages such as non-diet soft drinks, energy drinks, sweet teas, and sports drinks offer little or no nutritional value but include massive quantities of added sugars. For example, a 12-ounce can of soda contains the equivalent of approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar; the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that a person eating a 2,200-calorie diet should eat no more than 12 teaspoons of refined sugar in a day. Americans consume more SSBs than ever before. Between 1977 and 2002, consumption of SSBs doubled.

Many public health advocates see SSB taxes and fees as a clear obesity prevention policy strategy. The potential price increase due to the tax or fee can lead to a decline in SSB consumption. And the revenue generated by the tax or fee can be set aside for obesity prevention and treatment initiatives. Several states and communities considered SSB tax legislation over the past year. Many more are considering future legislation.

NPLAN has developed a range of SSB resources for advocates and policymakers to use in  efforts to pass SSB tax and fee legislation. These resources include SSB Tax Model Legislation, a Regulatory Fees Policy Brief, and a Sugar-Sweetened Beverages State Legislation Analysis Chart (please e-mail cfry@phlpnet.org for a copy of the chart).

Technical Assistance Available!
Do you have a question about passing SSB tax legislation in your state or community? Are you wondering what SSB regulatory options are available? Contact NPLAN for technical assistance.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Webinar

In September 2010, NPLAN hosted a webinar that provided an overview of the public health evidence supporting SSB regulation and past efforts to pass SSB tax legislation. Presenters discussed scientific and economic benefits of an SSB tax and described the features of an “ideal” SSB tax or fee from public health and legal perspectives. They also discussed the various tax and fee options available to policymakers (i.e., excise tax versus sales tax versus regulatory fee).  Public health officials from New York State and Philadelphia also presented on recent efforts to pass SSB legislation in their respective jurisdictions.

Webinar Agenda & Resources

Each presentation is available for download:

Economic Theory and Public Health Impact of SSB Legislation
Kelly Brownell, RUDD Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University

SSB Taxes and Fees: Legal Overview
Ian McLaughlin, NPLAN Staff Attorney

New York State SSB Tax Campaign
Ana Garcia, the New York Academy of Medicine

Philadelphia SSB Tax Campaign
Nan Feyler, City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health

You can watch a recording of the webinar for free here. In order to view the recorded presentation, you will need to install the free ARF Player.