Poll: Calif. Residents Support Tax, Warning Labels on Sugary Drinks
Most California residents support requiring health-risk warning labels on sugary drinks and implementing a tax on such beverages, according to a recent Field Poll conducted by the California Endowment, the Sacramento Bee reports.
For the poll, researchers read a list of potential ideas for reducing childhood diabetes, and respondents identified which initiatives they supported.
Findings
The poll found that 74% of respondents supported requiring labels on sweetened beverages advising that "studies show that daily consumption of soda and other sugary drinks contributes to diabetes, obesity and tooth decay."
According to the Bee, a majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents all supported such an initiative.
Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo said, "Typically Republicans and more conservative voters shy away from these government intrusions into private enterprise," adding, "The lack of opposition is one of the more remarkable findings."
The poll also found that about 66% of respondents supported imposing a tax on soda and other sugary beverages.
In addition, the poll found:
- 70% of respondents supported prohibiting the purchase of sugary beverages with food stamps;
- 62% supported removing such beverages from child care centers and children's hospitals; and
- 58% supported banning such beverages from school vending machines (White, Sacramento Bee, 2/20).