Our Commitment to Reducing Consumption of Sugary Drinks
The 木瓜直播 has been historically and unequivocally committed to reducing consumption of sugary drinks, which science shows can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
We have battled soda companies over public policies for decades to reduce consumption of sugary beverages. In the face of industry opposition, we have long called upon the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use its authority over SNAP to decrease sugary drink consumption.
In collaboration with public health partners across the country, we have increased taxes on sugary drinks, having successfully passed such policies in Philadelphia, Seattle and communities across California, including Santa Cruz most recently in November 2024.
We are steadfastly committed to the shared goal of increasing consumption of healthy foods and reducing consumption of sugary drinks. The following resources highlight our work in support of this mission-critical priority:
- Association policy position: Food Sustainability and the Farm Bill (PDF)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
- Association fact sheet: Decreasing Sugary Drink Consumption (PDF)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)(link opens in new window)
Reducing Sugary Drink Consumption: Timeline of Key Heart Association Milestones
2014
Berkeley, CA passes ballot initiative
Farm Bill
Congress passes the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the "farm bill"), reauthorizing SNAP
2016
Oakland, CA passes ballot initiative
Sugary Drink Tax
Boulder, CO passes ballot initiative
Sugary Drink Tax
Philadelphia, PA City Council passes measure
Sugary Drink Tax
San Francisco, CA City Council passes measure
Sugary Drink Tax
Albany, NY passes ballot measure
Sugary Drink Tax
Cook County, IL County Council passes measure, later repealed
AHA Policy Statement
Reducing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption: A Focus on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes (PDF)(link opens in new window)
2017
Seattle, WA City Council passes measure
AHA Policy Statement
Farm Bill Policy and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (PDF)(link opens in new window)
Article
Article
2018
After CA Gov. Jerry Brown is about banning sugary drink taxes, AHA CEO Nancy Brown issues an to dinner with the governor.
Sugary Drink Tax
California legislature passes bill preempting local sugary drink taxes
Sugary Drink Tax
San Jose, CA City Council proposal set to go on November ballot stopped due to state preemption
Sugary Drink Tax
Oregon ballot initiative defeats preemption of taxes on products including sugary drinks
Farm Bill
Congress reauthorizes the farm bill
2019
Article
2022
Food Sustainability and the Farm Bill (PDF)(link opens in new window)
2023
Farm Bill
Congress enacts a “clean” extension of the farm bill
2024
Santa Cruz, CA passes ballot initiative
Sugary Drink Tax
Berkeley, CA extends sugary drink tax indefinitely
Farm Bill
Congress enacts a "clean" extension of the farm bill