The landslide passage of a 1 cent-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas, energy drinks and sweetened teas, by votes in Berkeley, Calif, “was a big defeat for Big Soda and a big victory for public health,” said Howard Wolfson, senior advisor to former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “The results will surely encourage other municipalities across the nation to pursue similar initiatives to fight obesity and diabetes. We stand ready to assess and assist other local efforts in the coming election cycle,” said Wolfson in a statement.
The soda tax was approved by a 3-to-1 margin in Berkeley. A 2-cent tax was rejected, 54-46, across the bay in San Francisco on the same day.
“People don’t support taxes and bans on common grocery items, like soft drinks,” said the American Beverage Association, a trade group. it said “the public debate has largely moved on from taxes and bans” to voluntary reduction in the calorie content of beverages and putting “clear calorie labels on the front of all our products” so consumers will know what they’re getting.