What's Happening

Soda Free Summer is a campaign by the Alameda County Public Health Department - Nutrition Services aimed at reducing or eliminating consumption of sugary drinks by youth in Alameda County.

Arizona in ACTION is encouraging businesses, schools, cities, counties, and government agencies to provide more nutritional options in vending machines so that all consumers have an opportunity to make a healthy choice no matter where they are in Arizona.

As part of their Soda Free Summer campaign encouraging youth and their families to not drink soda for a summer, the Bay Area Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative created a book title "Drink Water Said the Otter." For more information, visit here.

By executive order, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino stops the sale, advertising, and promotion of sugary beverages on city-owned property, including cafeterias, vending machines, concession stands, and at city meetings, programs, and events where food is purchased with city dollars.

As part of their Soda Free Summer campaign encouraging youth and their families to not drink soda for a summer, the Bay Area Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative created a book title "Drink Water Said the Otter." For more information, visit here.

The Boston Public Health Commission has initiated an extensive campaign to encourage healthy beverage consumption that includes educating consumers and developing policies Campaign materials include Rethink Your Drink stoplight posters, youth-oriented Fat Smack and parent-directed media campaigns, Soda-Free Summer. The campaign includes policy work to secure city and organizational policy changes that make it easier for Boston residents to make healthy beverage choices. The Commission is also working with 10 Boston Hospitals to discourage consumption of sugary beverages in their institutions. They are removing high-sugar beverages and replacing them with healthier options; displaying educational "Red-Yellow-Green" stoplight images about choosing healthy beverages; installing free water dispensers; and patient education and staff training. The Boston Medical Center is running a campaign called "No Sugary Drink Rx" that enlists pediatricians to hand out a "prescription" not to drink sugary drinks.

State Senator Monning introduced SB 622 on February 22, 2013. The bill establishes an excise tax of 1-cent per ounce on drinks with added sugar or high-calorie sweeteners and the revenue will fund the Children’s Health Promotion Fund, to be spent on childhood obesity prevention activities.
Authored by Assemblywoman Mitchell, Assembly Bill 459 will require that food and beverages meet accepted nutritional guidelines if sold in a state-owned or state-leased building, or in a vending machine on state property. California Department of Public Health through the Network for a Healthy California supports the development of healthy beverage messages and materials. Eleven Regional Network collaboratives engage community partners in promoting healthy beverage messages for low-income Californians. Project LEAN works to increase the availability of healthy beverages in workplaces, schools and government facilities through systems, policy and environmental change in selected counties.
The California Center for Public Health Advocacy works with cities in LA County to establish nutrition standards for beverages and food; CCPHA’s statewide campaign Kick The Can: CA promotes several beverage policy reforms.

On June 18, 2012, Cambridge Mayor Henrietta Davis proposed a city wide limit on the serving size of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages sold in restaurants. The matter was referred to the City Council's Community Health Committee for further study.

Central Valley, California: California Poject Lean and their partners have launched a re-think your drink campaign in the Central Valley of California. The campaign includes media spots, fact sheets and a pledge. Visit www.CaliforniaProjectLEAN.org to view the materials.

Healthy and Active Before 5 Pledge the Practice Pass the Policy, a project run by a county collaborative in Contra Costa County, California, provides resources and tools for obesity prevention policy work. No sugar sweetened beverages or 100% fruit juice is one policy goal of the project which aims to get organizations - especially organizations working with families with very young children to adopt policies. To date, 14 organizations have adopted no sugar sweetened beverage policies.

In 2011, legislators in Connecticut introduced a soda tax bill (amount of tax unspecified), but this bill failed to pass.

Rethink Your Drink is an educational campaign of the Cook County Department of Public Health designed to educate suburban Cook County residents on the health risks associated with drinking sugar loaded beverages and why it is better to choose healthier options.

Hawaii Senate Bill 646, introduced Jan. 18, 2013, seeks to establish a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, syrup, and powder with the revenues generated to be deposited into the community health centers special fund and the trauma system special fund.

In December of 2012, Howard County launched the Howard County Unsweetened campaign, a multifaceted, community-wide campaign to reduce childhood obesity by helping youth and parents choose unsweetened beverages. The campaign includes the Better Beverage Finder website that lets the public search for healthy beverage alternatives and displays where in the county those drinks can be found.

The Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity is engaging in public education and direct-action organizing to: (1) decrease consumption of sugar-loaded drinks, (2) increase the understanding of the link between sugar-loaded drinks and obesity and (3) raise awareness about the economic and health benefits that an excise tax on these beverages would have in Illinois, and (4) encourage hospitals to change their beverage environment. Tool kits with model policies and best practices will be disseminated, and technical assistance will be provided to collaborating hospitals.

In 2011, legislators in Indiana introduced a soda tax bill that would increase the Madison County food and beverage tax from 1% to 2% for two years. This bill was still active as of August 16, 2011.

The Bureau of Health Promotion at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment created Refresh Kansas to support the JUST ADD WATER!, a public health intervention to raise awareness about the benefits of water and the risks associated with consumption of sugary drinks.

On November 6, 2012, El Monte voters rejected the proposed fee of one-cent-per-ounce of sugar-sweetened beverage provided, or traded by businesses in the city, called Measure H. However, voters approved the accompanying Measure C which advised the city council to spend the funds from Measure H on obesity prevention programming, but Measure C has no effect without the passage of Measure H. Even though the El Monte soda tax didn’t pass, the campaign moved the sugary drink debate forward by leaps and bounds.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Choose Health LA initiative is exposing the dangers of excessive consumption of sugary drinks through a public education campaign that asks, "You Wouldn't Eat 22 Packs of Sugar, Why Are You Drinking Them?"

In 2008, Maine enacted a tax of 42 cents per gallon of sugar-sweetened beverage; that tax was repealed by voters a year later, thanks to a $4 million campaign by the soda industry.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is sponsoring House Bill 1 which would repeal the sales tax exemption for “soft drinks” and candy (currently 6.25%). Soft drinks are defined as non-alcoholic beverages that contain natural or artificial sweeteners, but not including beverages that contain milk or milk products, soy, rice or similar milk substitutes, or vegetable or fruit juice.

The Minnesota Dental Association has a state wide education program aimed at reducing sugary drinks called "Sip all day get decay."

Catalyst and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota are leading a statewide Campaign to engage teens in the issue and create awareness on the amount of sugar in sweetened beverages, and the danger of too much sugar.

In February of 2013, State Senator Deborah Jeanne Dawkins introduced a sugary drink tax bill, SB 2830. This bill establishes an excise tax of 2-cents per ounce on drinks with added sugar or high-calorie sweeteners. Twenty percent of the revenue from the proposed tax will fund the Children’s Health Promotion Fund and the remainder will go into the state general fund.

The Missouri Dental Association has a state-wide education program aimed at reducing sugary drinks called "Stop the Pop."

The Multnomah County Health Department's Community Wellness and Prevention Program, has a campaign to educate county residents about the amount of sugar they are unknowingly consuming in sugary drinks and to raise public awareness about how the extra calories consumed through sugary drinks are helping to drive the obesity epidemic. The campaign encourages water as a healthy alternative.

Legislative Bill 447, introduced by state Sen. Bill Avery of Lincoln, would end the sales tax exemption for soda, sports drinks and other soft drinks. Milk, milk substitutes and fruit and vegetable juices would continue to be exempt. The money collected would be used to fight childhood obesity and increase the health of Nebraska children. One-third of it would be earmarked for projects aimed at keeping children out of the child welfare and juvenile justice system.

The New Mexico Healthier Weight Council is working on implementation of regulations that eliminate the provision of sugary drinks in state licensed childcare facilities, a change enacted in 2010.

The New York State Association of County Health Officials is issuing small grants to some local county health departments to increase availability of healthier beverage choices in the vending machine of County operated buildings.

New York City Board of Health has approved Mayor Michael Bloomberg's rule limiting the size of sugar-sweetened beverages sold in restaurants, movie theaters, and street carts to no more than 16 ounces. Download the Board of Health’s presentation on the rule which lays their argument and responds to the opposition’s claims.

The New York City Pouring on the Pounds educational campaign aims to alert New Yorkers to the shocking amounts of added sugar in their everyday drinks and the serious health effects from all of the extra calories. In January 2012, cut your portion size media campaign was launched to inform New Yorkers about increasing portion sizes. Both campaigns are lead by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene which is happy to share its posters/videos.

State representative Mitch Greenlick has introduced House Bill 2331 - an excise tax of $.005 per ounce sold to retailers or $.005 per ounce per gallon from concentrate. Revenue from the bill will create a Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax Fund, used to finance nutrition programs, physical activity, and other health promotion programs.

The Pennsylvania Dental Association has adopted Missouri's state wide education program "Stop the Pop."

"Do you know what your kids are drinking?" is a media campaign that raises awareness of Philadelphia caregivers of young children about the health effects of sugary drinks, particularly the connection with weight gain and Type 2 diabetes. The campaign is one component of Get Healthy Philly - a cross-cutting initiative with government and community partners designed to make it easier for Philadelphians to eat healthy and be active.

Do you know what your kids are drinking?" is a media campaign that raises awareness of Philadelphia caregivers of young children about the health effects of sugary drinks, particularly the connection with weight gain and Type 2 diabetes. The campaign is one component of Get Healthy Philly - a cross-cutting initiative with government and community partners designed to make it easier for Philadelphians to eat healthy and be active.

State Representatives Ajello, Handy, Tanzi, Cimini, and Valencia introduced HB 5228 on January 31, 2013. The bill establishes an excise tax of 1-cent per ounce on drinks with added sugar or high-calorie sweeteners and the revenue will fund the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund. "Cut Back The Sugar" is a statewide media campaign raising awareness of the health effects of sugar sweetened beverages, focusing on parents with children 2 through 12 years of age. The Campaign is lead by the Rhode Island Department of health.

On November 6, 2012, the city of Richmond placed before voters a two-part proposal: (1) Measure N- a fee of one-cent-per-ounce of sugar-sweetened beverage served, provided, or traded by businesses in the city; (2) Measure O- which advised that the tax revenues from Measure N be used to fund projects to prevent and treat diabetes and childhood obesity. Measure N was rejected by the majority of voters, while Measure O was approved. But as written, Measure O has no effect without the approval of Measure N. Despite the loss, Richmond stepped out as a leader by proposing a soda tax. Kick the Can thanks Council Member Jeff Ritterman and all the Measure N supporters for fearlessly taking that important step.

Shape Up San Francisco, a city-wide coalition of public and private organizations, directs a campaign focused on educating residents about the health impacts of sweetened beverages and building community support for policy or legislative changes to decrease access to sweetened beverages.

Get Healthy San Mateo County has targeted reduction in access to sugar sweetened beverages as a key priority for 2012 and beyond. This work was launched with the publication of Sip on This.

In 2010, San Antonio’s Mayor passed a policy prohibiting the sale of soda and other sugary drinks in city vending machines. For more information, visit here.

Let's Do This and Soda Free Sundays, two efforts in King County, are designed to inspire residents to work together for healthier environments where they live, learn, work and play and to give up sugary drinks on Sundays. The Seattle & King County Public Health Department and The Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition are coordinating these efforts; a wealth of resources including videos and posters (in various languages) are available.

The Vanderbilt University chapter of the American Medical Student Association continues to lead an effort to impose a one-cent-per-ounce tax on sugar-based beverages. Proceeds from the tax would be used to reduce TN's sales tax on food. The effort is aimed at reducing the state's childhood obesity rate, one of the highest in the U.S.

State Rep. Joe Farias introduced House Bill 735 in January of 2013, a proposed 5-cent per 12 fl.oz tax on sugary drinks in cans, bottles or from soda fountains. Rep. Farias said the tax will be used to help with child-related heath issues and that revenue will be split -- 40 percent for the "children’s health promotion account," which includes funding for education, and 60 percent for the general fund. Several beverages would not be included in the tax, such as 100 percent-fruit drinks, alcohol and sports drinks. The Drink Well Texas campaign is designed to fight obesity by reducing Texans' consumption of sugary drinks. The Campaign is identifying allies, educating the public, and supporting targeted policies, including a statewide penny-per-ounce excise tax on sugary drinks. The campaign is led by Texans Care for Children.

State Representative David Sharpe and several colleagues re-introduced a sugary drink tax, HB 234, in February 2013. This bill establishes an excise tax of 1-cent per ounce on drinks with added sugar or high-calorie sweeteners. Half of the revenue from the proposed tax will fund the Vermont Healthy Weight Initiative Fund, and the second half will fund the State Health Care Resources Fund. The Alliance for a Healthier Vermont is a long time supporter of such a bill. The Alliance is coalition of health care providers, advocates for low income Vermonters, consumer advocates, senior advocates, and others who have come together out of concern for the increased role that soda and other sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are playing in the prevalence of obesity in Vermont.

In 2010 a Washington, DC city council member proposed a penny-per-ounce excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to help fund an enhanced school nutrition program. Though that legislation was unsuccessful, the city council passed a bill to eliminate the sales tax exemption for "non-alcoholic beverages with natural or artificial sweeteners," effective October 1, 2010.

As part of a proposed budget to be implemented in July of 2013, Governor Christine Gregoire proposed a candy and soda tax in December of 2012. The tax revenues would be used to fulfill an award issued by an independent arbitrator in October to give pay raises to the state’s home-care workers.

State Delegate Manypenny has introduced HB 2060, which will establish an excise tax of 1-cent per 16.9 fluid ounces on sugary drinks or 80-cents per gallon on drink syrup and all revenue will go to the State Parks Maintenance and Improvements Fund.

Challenge Chippewa, a nutrition and physical activity action team of the Chippewa Health Improvement Partnership Coalition is leading a campaign to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among youth in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, by raising community awareness and working towards environmental and policy change.

What's New on KTC?

Search form