SACRAMENTO, July 2, 2018 — American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown made the following comments in support of the California Medical Association’s and the California Dental Association’s plan to propose a statewide sugary drink tax in the form of a 2020 ballot measure:
“The ‘Soda Shakedown’ of 2018 may have been about sugar but it leaves a distinctly sour aftertaste. The backroom dealing and appalling tactics of the soda industry are truly sickening. Unfortunately, that’s appropriate. Overconsumption of sugary beverages is sickening too many people in our nation.
“Soda taxes are working well in four California cities – reducing consumption while funding nutrition and activity programs that counter the effects of these insidiously marketed products. We all pay the price for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, dental disease and other largely preventable chronic illnesses. Cheap soda is no bargain.
“Californians have voted four times for sugary drink taxes because they know these beverages are harmful and revenue funds critical health and education programs. We were disappointed that the American Beverage Association, and their member companies, went to such great lengths to take away the right of Californians to vote for better health.
“The tsunami of chronic diseases we face as a nation threatens our future. We will be relentless in our work with communities across the state to improve public health through a statewide tax and to restore the rights of Californians to vote for what they believe best supports health in their state.
“The American Heart Association stands side by side with the California Medical Association and the California Dental Association as we fight for the health of all Californians. This is the kind of health leadership California is known for.”
###
About the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1.800.AHA.USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173
National media, contact Suzette Harris, Suzette.Harris@heart.org, 214-706-1207
California media, contact Liam Connolly, Liam.Connolly@heart.org, 916-431-2331
For Public Inquiries: (800) AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and strokeassociation.org
