Massachusetts currently exempts the tax on candy and soda by considering them essential items. While many factors contribute to weight gain, soft drinks have been proven to have a direct link to obesity.  There is evidence that taxing sugary beverages will reduce rates of consumption and therefore reduce obesity and chronic disease.

30 other states have already passed a sales tax on soda.  Massachusetts is behind.

In his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2013, Governor Deval Patrick includes a proposal to remove this sales tax exemption, generating an estimated $62.5 million in annual revenue.  In the last legislative session, State Representative Kahn filed House Bill 1697: An Act to Reduce Childhood Obesity by removing the State Subsidy for Sugared Sweetened Beverages and Candy. Rep. Khan is the House Chair for the Joint Committee on Children & Families. 

Far too often the structures of our societies do not promote the health of the people.  Instead, they do the reverse.  Soda and candy have zero nutritional value but we give them special tax treatment anyway.  This is backwards.

Join us in our effort to push for social justice and better health for all in Massachusetts!