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"Sugar Tax" introduced by Boston city councilor

Boston city councilor proposing "sugar tax" on sugary drinks
Boston city councilor proposing "sugar tax" on sugary drinks 02:10

BOSTON - It could cost you more to get a soda soon. The Boston City Council is proposing a tax on sugary drinks, saying the money on unhealthy beverages can be put to good use.

City Councilor Sharon Durkan brought the idea before the Boston City Council on Wednesday to start the conversation about what rates would look like.  

Tax on sugary drinks

"I've heard from a lot of residents in my district who are supportive of a tax on sugary beverages, but they want to make sure that these funds are used for public health," said City Councilor Sharon Durkan, who is introducing the "Sugar Tax," modeled on Philadelphia and Seattle. Durkan said in Philadelphia and Seattle, both cities have seen less people consuming sugary drinks and are investing in the community.

Durkan said it's a great way to introduce and fund health initiatives and slowly improve public health.

"I think it's an important conversation for Boston to have about our health," said Durkan ahead of the hearing on Wednesday. She also compared sugar to alcohol and tobacco. "We already know that sugar is bad for you."

Durkan, who called her hometown of Atlanta "the soda hub," said she was inspired by seeing childhood friends develop health risks like Type II diabetes from drinking sugary sodas.

A study from Boston University found that cities that implemented a tax on sugary drinks saw a 33% decrease in sales.

"What it does is it creates an environment where we are discouraging the use of something that we know, over time, causes cancer, causes diet-related diseases, causes obesity and other diet-related illnesses," she said.

Soda drinkers say no to "Sugar Tax"

Soda drinkers don't see the benefit.

Delaney Doidge stopped by the store to get a mid-day pick-me-up on Tuesday.

"I wasn't planning on getting anything, but we needed toilet paper, and I wanted a Diet Coke, so I got a Diet Coke," she said, adding that a tax on sugary drinks is an overreach, forcing her to ask: What's next?

"Then we'd have to tax everything else that brings people enjoyment," Doidge said. "If somebody wants a sweet treat, they deserve it, no tax."

Store owners said they're worried about how an additional tax would impact their businesses.

Massachusetts considered a similar tax in 2017.

Boston City Council hearing

At Wednesday's City Council hearing, Durkan said everyone in Boston is entitled to live a healthy life. She pointed to health disparities in the city, with life expectancy differing by 20 years between Roxbury and Back Bay due to illnesses like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

"We have an important imperative here at the City Council and that's to support residents," said Durkan. "Critics may argue that such a tax is regressive. However, evidence shows that healthcare benefits and reinvestment opportunities in our communities far outweigh the cost."

Durkan proposed the revenue from the tax be used for programs to benefit the community, like literacy programs and youth sports.

Small business impact

Councilor-at-Large Julia Mejia said she welcomed the conversations about the proposed tax from a public health standpoint. But she added the council should seek balance with small businesses, many of whom would be impacted by the tax. She also warned that members of low-income communities or communities of color may feel targeted by the proposal.

"It's not the right time for another tax," said Councilor-at-Large Ed Flynn, citing difficult economic times. "It will impact small businesses in our neighborhoods. During challenging times, it's not the right time to add more taxes, we need to support residents and not hit with them with as many taxes as we have been."

The proposal will now be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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