by Megan T. on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
State Representative Edie Ajello has introduced a bill that would impose a one-cent per ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Rhode Island. Revenue collected from the tax would be deposited into a new "Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund" aimed at reducing rates of the most prevalent and preventable health conditions; increasing healthy behaviors; increasing the adoption of workplace-wellness programs; addressing health dispartities and, developing a stronger base of effective prevention programming in the Ocean State.
To view the full proposal click the following link: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText13/HouseText13/H5228.pdf
Click here to view the AHA's new fact sheet "Decreasing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption: Policy Approaches to Address Obesity": http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@adv/documents/downloadable/ucm_441212.pdf
What do you think of Rep. Ajello's proposal?