Build a Healthier Bethel
Why a tax on sugary beverages is a good idea:
- Sugary beverages, like sports drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks and pop are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet
- Unlike other products high in added sugars, sugary beverages offer no nutritional value
- Alaskans drink a lot of sugary beverages:
- Almost 50% of Alaskan high school students and about 23% of Alaskan adults drink one or more sugary beverages each day
- Among Yup’ik youth, sugary beverages contribute more than 75% of beverage intake, while intake of milk and 100% fruit juice is low
- 31% of Alaskan three-year-old’s drink some amount of sugary beverages each day
- Drinking too many sugary beverages can raise the risk of tooth decay, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Each additional serving of sugary drinks per day increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 13-18%.
- In other cities, sugary beverage taxes have proven to be effective at reducing purchases and excise taxes do not hurt local business or increase unemployment.
What Residents in Bethel Gain:
Funding for projects like park & recreational design and development along with other recreational opportunities.
Designated revenue for projects that are often cut in local budgets
Learn More:
How you can help:
Let the city council know you support the sugary beverage tax to improve the health of our community. The vote is on Tues. April 27, 2021!
E-mail [email protected] or any council member below today.
E-mail city council-members:
Perry Barr
Haley Hanson
Alyssa Leary
Mark Springer
Michelle DeWitt
Rose "Sugar" Henderson
Conrad "C.J." McCormick