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.

How you can help:

E-mail city council members and tell them to support the sugary beverage tax and:

• Use funding for the Phase II community gym expansion of the YKFC along with development and maintenance of Bethel parks, recreation and trails
• Amend the sugary beverages ordinance to reduce the proposed tax on powdered beverages, like Tang
• Accept the recommendations from the Parks, Recreation, Aquatic Health and Safety Center committee