After careful consideration I have decided not only to vote yes on San Francisco's Prop E but also to urge others to do so. Politics are always muddy waters and I was not sure if I wanted to wade into them in a professional capacity. Upon further reflection I know that I would be falling short on my obligation as a Registered Dietitian if I did not share my views on this issue.
Prop E is a tax of 2 cents per ounce on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages. The tax will surely be passed onto the consumer at the point of sale; a twelve ounce Coke will cost an additional 24 cents. Revenues from this tax would fund health, nutrition, physical education, and active recreation programs in the city. My personal favorite planned use of funds is an allocation to the Public Utilities Commission for installation of water bottle filling stations.
Sugar-laden beverages are unique in their ability to contribute to overweight/obesity and the cascade of health consequences that follow (type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, etc). Whether or not a price increase will lead to decreased consumption remains to be seen. My own review of the research on the effects of tobacco tax increases on usage indicates that increased tobacco prices do decrease smoking rates. Armed with this knowledge we owe it to the collective health of our city to give the "soda tax" a try. Reduction in sugary beverage consumption plus funds for nutrition and health promotion is a win-win in this nutrition professional's eyes. I urge you to review the proposition yourself and I hope you will join me on election day in the fight for a healthier San Francisco.
SF vote YES on E 11/04/14!