The American Medical Association has endorsed taxing sugar-sweetened beverages as part of a broader strategy to reduce the amount of sugar Americans consume.

A new policy adopted by AMA on June 14 supports "evidence-based strategies to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages," including excise taxes, removing options to purchase soda and other sweetened beverages in primary and secondary schools, the use of warning labels to inform consumers about the health consequences, and the use of plain packaging.

The policy supports more research into other proposals to reduce sweetened beverage consumption, including limiting purchase options in early childcare settings and workplaces. The group also is urging hospitals and other health care facilities to offer healthy alternatives, such as coffee and unflavored.

"Excessive sugar consumption has been linked to some of the nation's most debilitating diseases, and limiting the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages will go a long way toward helping people prevent the onset of these diseases, improve health outcomes and rein in health costs associated with chronic diseases," AMA Board Member William Kobler said in a statement. http://bit.ly/2taily6

AMA's policy puts it at odds with the American Beverage Association, which has spent millions of dollars fighting soda tax proposals in various communities and states. The beverage industry group did not directly respond to AMA, but in a June 16 post on its official blog, ABA said "taxes on beverages like soda, juice, sports drinks and teas just don't lead to the health outcomes proponents claim."

"Instead of advocating for taxes that will not improve public health and will raise food prices on working families, we should seek to provide consumers with information on how to best maintain a balanced diet and give them the food and beverage choices to do so," ABA said. http://bit.ly/2rE2zK6

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