California Assembly Committee Rejects Proposed Tax on Sweetened Beverages

A proposed bill (A.B. 1357) that would have imposed a 2-cent per ounce
tax on soft drinks, sweet teas, energy and sports drinks has failed
to pass the California Assembly Health Committee by a vote of 10-6.

“I am disappointed that the committee failed to act today on one of the
biggest health crises facing our nation,” said Assemblymember Richard
Bloom (D-Santa Monica), author of the legislation. “Diabetes is now
the seventh largest cause of death in the nation. If current trends aren’t
reversed, one-in-three children born after 2000—and specifically one-in-two
African-American or Hispanic children—are expected to develop type
2 diabetes. The overwhelming view of health experts is that the single
most significant cause of obesity and diabetes is overconsumption of
sugar.”

Revenue generated by the tax would have generated an estimated $3
billion for health, education and wellness programs aimed at reducing
the incidence of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and dental disease. The
proposal was co-sponsored by the American Heart Association, Latino
Coalition for a Healthy California and California Dental Association. See
Associated Press and Press Release of Assemblymember Richard Bloom,
May 12, 2015.

Issue 565