Opponents make a splash in soda tax campaign
The soda industry is pouring at least $2 million into two city referendums in California that propose a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, says Politico. The votes in San Francisco and Berkeley across the bay could influence national policy on obesity. “If the tax passes in one of the two cities, as polls show it might, it’ll be the first loss for the beverage industry, which has emerged undefeated in more than 30 similar fights in states and cities, from Maine to El Monte, California in recent years,” says Politico. Conversely, if the initiatives fail, it may discourage attempts elsewhere.
Bankrolled by the American Beverage Association, opponents began a multilingual ad campaign this week. Proponents are being outspent, says Politico. It says Berkeley may be the best bet for proponents. Early polls showed strong support for the 1-cent per ounce with a simple majority needed for passage. The 2-cent tax proposed in San Francisco needs a two-thirds vote because the revenue is earmarked for nutrition and physical education programs in schools and other anti-obesity projects. A poll in May found voters were divided 54-44 for the tax, below the two-thirds needed, said Politico.