The California Medical Association (CMA) – which proudly represents over 44,000 physicians across all modes of practice and specialty – has joined the California Dental Association, health stakeholders and legislators in support of a bill package aimed at reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

The legislation targets soda, energy drinks, sweet teas and sports drinks that contribute to obesity, diabetes, tooth decay and heart disease, as well as ensures that The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) and PepsiCo Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP) stop targeting low-income communities and pay their fair share of public health costs.

“Like the tobacco industry, companies like Coke and Pepsi are peddling harmful products to children at a significant cost to public health and our health care system,” said CMA President David H. Aizuss, M.D. “These measures will help lower consumption and help Californians make healthier choices that prioritize public health.”

View the full press release and bill summaries here.

Watch the news conference (held on 2/20 at the State Capitol) here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Fact Sheet: Portion Cap Rule
• Fact Sheet: Healthy Checkout Aisles for Healthy Families
• Fact Sheet: Limiting Promotion Pricing of High-Calorie Beverages
• Webinar: Sugary Drinks: Using Grassroots Advocacy to Reduce Consumption
• Press Release: Leading health organizations announce filing of statewide soda tax measure for 2020 (2018)
• CMA Op-ed: Public health policy should not be a political bargaining chip
• Press Release: California Medical Association endorses soda tax ballot measures (2016)