Oral

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes (sometimes referred to as “soda taxes” or “soft drink taxes”) have recently generated much interest and debate in public health departments, the peer-reviewed literature, and the popular press. Over the past year, several policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels have proposed SSB taxes as a policy response to soaring obesity rates and sinking government budgets. The goals of an SSB tax at any level would be to reduce consumption of SSBs (i.e., any beverage that contains added caloric sweeteners) through an increase in price and to generate revenue for obesity prevention and treatment. Taxation is a highly effective policy intervention in tobacco control, reducing tobacco use and generating funds for tobacco control programs and policies that generate further reductions in use. Sugar-sweetened beverage tax policy is a rapidly developing area of interest for public health professionals. The purpose of this panel would be to provide a comprehensive overview of the policy area from multiple perspectives: scientific, economic, legal, and advocacy. This session will allow the public health community to learn from and ask questions of the top researchers and practitioners working on sugar-sweetened beverage tax policy. The session schedule is designed to allow for ample discussion between presenters and audience members.

Session Objectives: • Describe current efforts to establish sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in states and localities. • Discuss the scientific and economic rationales for sugar-sweetened beverage taxes. • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of sugar-sweetened beverage tax proposals. • Formulate a convincing advocacy message for a sugar-sweetened beverage tax policy.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)