CA’s Sweetened Beverage Tax

SB 622 (Monning)

Elizabeth Velten, MPHState Policy Coordinator

California Center for Public Health Advocacy

Obesity in California

8.9%

Overweight among children aged 6–19 increased nearly FOUR-FOLD from 1963 – 2000.

Economic costs of overweight, obesity and physical inactivity estimated at $52 billion per year in CA.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Total Sweetened Beverages

kcal

/per

son/

day

278 cal/day

120 cal/day

INCREASE IN PER CAPITA CALORIE INTAKE OF SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES

(1977-2001)

SSBs are the SINGLE LARGEST Contributor to Obesity Epidemic

Equivalent of 43% of new

calories

What can we do? Lots! Decrease consumption of sugary drinks

Design communities to promote physical activity

Provide quality physical education in schools K-12

Provide after school programs with physical activity and healthy food.

Ensure access to fresh/healthy products in low income neighborhoods

Find a sustainable funding source to support communities in eating healthier and moving more!

Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax SB 622 (Monning)

1¢ per ounce on sugary drinks and concentrates paid by CA beverage distributors Calorically sweetened soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, juice drinks,

ice teas, vitamin fortified waters

Pay for some of the unique and proven harm these products are doing Expected annual revenue = $1.7 billion

Reduce consumption?

Sunset: July 1, 2024 Exempt Products:

< 25 calories exempt – supports industry’s healthier products. Formula, milk, 50% or more of natural fruit or vegetable juice.

Evaluation: By July 1, 2022, the University of California or the California State University will provide a report to the Legislature describing process and outcome performance of SB 622.

Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax SB 622 (Monning)

Support for Soda Tax68% of CA voters79% of Latinos 70% of African Americans

If the funds are dedicated to healthy school food and physical education

35% Promote nutrition and physical activity in elementary and secondary schools. Ex. healthy food, physical education instructors, afterschool nutrition or PE.

35% Evidence-based local community childhood obesity prevention programs. Ex. after school programs, parks and recreation, community gardens, farmers markets, community education.

10% Evidence-based prevention, monitoring, & weight management interventions in medical settings.

20% State-level childhood obesity prevention and children’s dental programs.

Soda Tax Revenue Allocation

Next Steps

Letters of support from organizations across the state

Coalition for CA’s Soda TaxEducating the public about the taxMedia advocacyContacting California State Senators

later in 2013

Questions?

Elizabeth Velten, MPHev@publichealthadvocacy.org

State Policy CoordinatorCalifornia Center for Public Health Advocacy