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Mayor Wants to Fine Stores Selling Soda
Never one to shy away from controversial policies, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has announced he wants to fine grocery and convenience stores that sell sodas and other sugary drinks.
Restaurants that sell such drinks would be exempt from the tax.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Newsom said he was moved to
seek legislation permitting the fines after reading a UCLA study that linked significantly higher rates of obesity with soda consumption. California spends $41 billion each year on health-related services treating obesity, the Chronicle reported.
In an effort to combat obesity, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom wants to fine grocery stores that sell soda and other sugary drinks.
Newsom is no stranger to controversy. In 2004, he directed the city clerk to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The state Supreme
Court later annulled those unions, which conflicted with state law at the time.
The mayor told the newspaper he fully expects lawsuits to be filed against the city as a result of the campaign against sodas.
"We know we'll be sued," he said. "But I really believe this is important to do."
Meanwhile, Congress continues to debate whether to place an additional tax on soda and other high-sugar drinks to help defray the costs of proposed health-care legislation.
Never one to shy away from controversial policies, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has announced he wants to fine grocery and convenience stores that sell sodas and other sugary drinks.
Restaurants that sell such drinks would be exempt from the tax.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Newsom said he was moved to
seek legislation permitting the fines after reading a UCLA study that linked significantly higher rates of obesity with soda consumption. California spends $41 billion each year on health-related services treating obesity, the Chronicle reported.
In an effort to combat obesity, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom wants to fine grocery stores that sell soda and other sugary drinks.
Newsom is no stranger to controversy. In 2004, he directed the city clerk to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The state Supreme
Court later annulled those unions, which conflicted with state law at the time.
The mayor told the newspaper he fully expects lawsuits to be filed against the city as a result of the campaign against sodas.
"We know we'll be sued," he said. "But I really believe this is important to do."
Meanwhile, Congress continues to debate whether to place an additional tax on soda and other high-sugar drinks to help defray the costs of proposed health-care legislation.
...Damn, it's too bad, San Francisco looks like a fresh city to live, but the people running the show there are nuts...
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