Viewpoint: Can U.S. local soda taxes continue to spread?

Area of Science:

• Public Health Policy
• Health Economics
• Food Policy

Background:

• Global trend: World Health Organization-endorsed taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) implemented in multiple countries.
• US context: State and federal SSB taxes have faced challenges, but seven local jurisdictions have enacted them since 2014.
• Policy landscape: Understanding the conditions for successful local SSB tax implementation is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify key factors enabling the political enactment of local SSB taxes in the United States.
• Analyze the conditions necessary for the successful implementation of SSB taxation at the sub-national level.
• Assess the potential for further expansion of SSB taxes in US local jurisdictions.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of recent political experiences with local SSB tax enactments in the US.
• Identification of common characteristics and strategies employed by successful pro-tax campaigns.
• Examination of political party dominance, financial backing, and messaging in local policy adoption.

Main Results:

• Three critical conditions for local SSB tax enactment identified: Democratic Party dominance, external financial support for pro-tax groups, and tailored political messaging (public health for ballot initiatives, budget revenue for city council votes).
• Approximately 40% of the US population resides in areas with Democratic Party dominance, indicating significant potential for tax expansion.
• Local jurisdictions with specific political and financial conditions are more likely to successfully implement SSB taxes.

Conclusions:

• Local SSB taxes are a viable public health strategy in the US, contingent on specific political and financial prerequisites.
• The identified conditions suggest a pathway for the continued spread of SSB taxes across US local jurisdictions.
• Targeted political strategies and resource allocation are essential for advancing SSB tax policies at the local level.