Tag Archives: food tax

Washington and Oregon to Vote on Soda and Food Tax Bans

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Washington State Initiative 1634 would ban local taxes on groceries. The initiative defines groceries as “any raw or processed food or beverage, or any ingredient thereof, intended for human consumption except alcoholic beverages, marijuana products, and tobacco. The ban would not apply to existing taxes, including Seattle’s sweetened-beverage tax (see our January 2, 2018, blog … Continue Reading

WHO Panel Holds Back on Calling for Sugary Drink Tax

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An independent panel advising the World Health Organization (WHO) did not recommend taxing sugary drinks in a report, titled, “A Time to Deliver.” While the report, released June 1, 2018, recommends that governments give priority to restricting the marketing of unhealthy products (that contain excessive amounts of sugars, sodium, saturated fats and trans fats) to … Continue Reading

Soda Tax Battles Continue into 2018

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As our readers are aware, sweetened beverage taxes have been in the spotlight for several years now. In November 2016, voters in three California cities and in Boulder, Colorado passed measures to tax sweetened beverages, and the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to impose a controversial soda tax (see our November 15, 2016 blog). However, … Continue Reading

Cook County, IL Likely to Repeal Soda Tax

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As previously reported on this blog, a Cook County Ordinance that imposes a $0.01 per ounce tax on the retail sale of sweetened beverages became effective August 2. The unpopular tax applies to bottled sweetened beverages and makes soda sold in Chicago among the most expensive in the country. Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison announced on … Continue Reading

Cook County Illinois Soda Tax Temporarily Blocked

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As previously covered on this blog, a number of local jurisdictions throughout the U.S. – like Berkeley, CA; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA; Oakland, CA; and Boulder, CO – have sought to introduce legislation to tax sweetened beverages.  Late last year, on November 10, 2016, the Cook County Illinois Board of Commissioners passed the Cook County … Continue Reading

More Sweetened Beverage Taxes Proposed As Voters Reject Others

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As we predicted on this blog in November 2016, more jurisdictions have now followed the lead of cities like Berkeley, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland and Boulder by introducing legislation to tax sweetened beverages. However, these efforts are not always successful. On May 2, 2017, Santa Fe, New Mexico voters rejected a proposed tax of two … Continue Reading

Connecticut Debates Sweetened Beverage Tax

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As previously covered on this blog, a number of local jurisdictions throughout the U.S. have sought to implement a “soda tax”. (See our February 27, 2017 blog and November 15, 2016 blog.) Now Connecticut is considering taxing certain sweetened beverages. Connecticut H.B. 7314 was referred to the Joint Committee on Finance Revenue and Bonding on … Continue Reading

Santa Fe Contemplates Soda Tax

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As previously covered on this blog, a number of U.S. cities have implemented controversial taxes on soft drinks.  This trend appears poised to continue with an upcoming public hearing in Santa Fe, New Mexico concerning a proposed soft drink tax slated for March 8, 2017. Spearheaded by Santa Fe Mayor, Javier Gonzales, the proposed tax … Continue Reading

Five More U.S. Cities to Tax Soft Drinks

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Consumers and lawmakers in five cities recently voted to join Berkeley, CA and Philadelphia in taxing soft drinks (see our June 17, 2016, blog entry for more information on Philadelphia’s tax). On Nov. 7, 2016, voters in San Francisco, Oakland and Albany, CA; and in Boulder, CO passed measures to tax nonalcoholic beverages with caloric … Continue Reading

WHO Report Supports Effectiveness of Sugary Food and Drink Taxes

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A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report supports the notion that taxing sugary foods and drinks could lead to a decrease in the consumption of such products and reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. A number of jurisdictions in the U.S. and abroad have implemented fiscal policy interventions – by way of taxes … Continue Reading

Philly To Tax Soft Drinks

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Philadelphia approves tax on soft drinks. As previously covered on this blog, stakeholders have been monitoring the degree of interest in, and the potential effectiveness of, sugar “sin taxes” here in the U.S.  In 2014, Berkeley became the first city to pass an excise tax (1 penny per ounce) on sugar-sweetened beverages. On June 16, 2016, the … Continue Reading

Soda Shakedown

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Sugar “sin taxes” in the spotlight. Added sugar has been in the spotlight for years, particularly with respect to its potential contribution to obesity and other non-communicable diseases.  The WHO recently issued a report urging the food industry and global governments to take active steps to curb sugar consumption among children.  The report discussed the benefits … Continue Reading
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