From Your Health Journal…..”We have discussed here many times about the brewing controversy about taxing ‘sugary’ soft drinks. From NYC to LA to Nevada – from Canada to the UK, many governments are looking to cut down on specific liquid consumptions. There is talk in some areas to create a fat tax, limit size of drinks sold, and to ban certain drinks. What would be consumer reaction? Some fear the government has no place getting involved in what they eat, while others feel the government does have right, since many of these young adults and children are going to grow up overweight and obese, causing weight related illness – therefore, costing the government extra money on healthcare. But now, an article by Chris Palmer and Ryder Diaz of The San Jose Mercury and Times-Standard touches upon this topic in California. In a state poll, it appears the soda tax has some support. Only 40 percent of voters support a soda tax when first asked, but support increases dramatically to 68 percent if the proceeds are earmarked for improved school nutrition and physical activity programs. This poll may place soda tax on the next election ballot. The poll also showed that 75 percent of registered California voters, including 85 percent of Latinos, see a link between drinking sugary sodas and a person’s chance of becoming overweight or obese. But fewer voters believe energy drinks or sports drinks carry the same health risks. Please visit the Times-Standard web site (link provided below) to read the complete article. It was well written and informative.”

From the article…..

A new statewide poll has given hope to supporters of “soda tax” measures.

According to a new Field Poll, only 40 percent of voters support a soda tax when first asked, but support increases dramatically to 68 percent if the proceeds are earmarked for improved school nutrition and physical activity programs.

The poll could help propel efforts in California and other states to put a soda tax on statewide ballots.

The survey found support for a tax is especially strong among Latinos, Asian-Americans and African-Americans. The poll also showed that 75 percent of registered California voters, including 85 percent of Latinos, see a link between drinking sugary sodas and a person’s chance of becoming overweight or obese. But fewer voters believe energy drinks or sports drinks carry the same health risks.

”I think this poll shows that a campaign either statewide or locally in cities has an excellent chance,” said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa County’s director of public health.

Officials of the beverage industry downplayed the poll results.

”I don’t think the voters are ready for a tax as presented in the poll because voters (eventually) learn that most of the added sugar in the American diet is from other sources,” said Chuck Finnie, a spokesman for the American Beverage Association. “They come to understand that singling out a particular product for special treatment is not good policy.

”Californians are very health conscious,” he added. “But the poll is almost designed to overstate.”

Field surveyed 1,184 registered California voters by telephone Oct. 17-24. The margin of error for the poll, which was conducted in six languages, was plus or minus 3 percentage points. It was the third in a series of annual statewide surveys on childhood obesity conducted on behalf of the California Endowment, a health foundation.

Local measure to tax soda recently failed in two California cities.

To read the complete article…..Click here