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American Heart Association supports taxing sugary drinks
The American Heart Association supports the proposed 4 cents per ounce tax on sugary drinks and congratulates the Northern Mariana Island Senate for passing the bill unanimously. Not only will half of the revenue from the tax go to ensure that all Commonwealth residents have access to health care, the increased cost of sugary drinks may encourage people to rethink their drinks and choose water and other unsweetened beverages instead. In 2014, Mexico implemented a peso per liter tax on sugary drinks and the volume of sugary drinks purchased declined month after month while the purchase of healthier drinks increased.
Too much added sugar in your diet significantly increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends that women have no more than six teaspoons and men have no more than nine teaspoons of added sugar in their diets each day. Sugary drinks are the largest source of added sugars in our diets with almost nine teaspoons in a single 12-ounce can.
Thank you to Rep. Felicidad Ogumoro, chair of the Health and Welfare Committee and the initial sponsor of the bill that passed the House of Representatives, for her continuing effort to improve the quality of life for the people of the Commonwealth. We hope that the House of Representatives will pass the Senate version of the bill, and that Governor Torres will sign the bill into law.
Rose Marie Robertson, M.D., FAHA
Chief Science & Medical Officer
American Heart Association
