Assembly Members Richard Bloom and Jim Wood have introduced a
“Health Impact Fee” on sodas and other sugary beverages earlier
this week. The bill, which is not yet in print (AB 2782), would
impose a two-cent fee on each ounce of sugar-sweetened beverages
to raise an estimated $2 billion annually. The fee would be
charged at the distributor level.
Funds raised by the fee would be used to create obesity and
diabetes prevention programs, as well as oral health and safe
drinking water programs. Counties, cities, clinics, and community
organizations would be eligible for the funding to operate the
health programs.
