U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) is demanding the American Beverage Association stop using his name in ads opposing proposed soda tax measures in San Francisco and Oakland.

Sanders has sent a cease-and-desist letter to ABA claiming the group is taking his quotes out of context. The senator opposed a soda tax in Philadelphia, fearing it would harm poor consumers. He has not taken a stance on the tax measures in California.

"Advertising from the American Beverage Association that implies that I oppose ballot items in San Francisco and Oakland that would place a tax on drinks with sugar are false," Sanders said in a statement to Politico.

ABA has waged an expensive war in recent years against soda taxes proposed in a variety of cities and communities across the country. This year voters in four cities will decide whether to enact special sales taxes on soda and other sugary beverages. San Francisco, Oakland and Albany, Calif., all have ballot issues that would enact a 1-cent-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages. Voters in Boulder, Colo., will decide whether to enact a 2-cents-per-ounce tax in their community.

ABA has spent nearly $31 million fighting the four ballot measures, the news site Vox reported. Supporters of the taxes have spent less than $12 million. http://bit.ly/2eqoSz2

As for Sanders' cease-and-desist letter, ABA fired back, noting "it is quite common for a public figure to be used in issue and political advertising."

"The senator has used the same approach in his advertising," the association added. http://politi.co/2dvc8DR

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