AHA blasts California bill that blocks new sugary drink taxes
The American Heart Association (AHA) is sharply critical of a bill passed last week in California that prevents local communities in the state from adopting any new local sugary drink taxes for the next 12 years. The AHA calls Assembly Bill 1838 “a last-minute, backroom deal negotiated and written in secret by beverage industry lobbyists and their allies” and warns that it is a significant step backwards in the ongoing effort to reduce overconsumption of sugary drinks.
“This is one of the worst pieces of legislation I have seen in more than 30 years spent fighting for better health for kids and families,” said Nancy Brown, AHA CEO. “We could not be more disappointed to see this bill, taken straight from the tobacco industry playbook, pass and will urge Governor Brown to veto this appalling legislation.”