BeHeardPhilly Poll: Philadelphians Say Yes to the Soda Tax

February 28, 2022 Post a Comment

Philly Poll: Yes to Soda Taxation

A Citizen co-sponsored survey finds most Philadelphians favor Mayor Kenney's proposed soda tax on sugary beverages

May. 05, 2016

A few weeks ago, we launched a survey to find out what Philadelphians actually retrieve—outside of the politics, the headache-inducing ads, the petitions, the posters—of Mayor Kenney's proposed taxation on sugary beverages. And well-nigh 1,000 people responded—which in the world of surveys is as if citizens were coming out to vote in droves. (Nosotros tin only dream.)

The results: 58.vii percent of Philadelphians support a tax on sugary beverages to help pay for universal pre-Grand, community schools and park renovations, among other things. Virtually 31 per centum oppose it. If the tax passes, well-nigh 35 percent said it would have a positive effect on their lives; 13 percent said it would have a negative effect. And more half call up information technology volition have no effect on their lives at all—many because they just don't potable enough sweetened beverages to feel much affect on their wallets.

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"Anything that's good for children and for greater health promotion is good for Anybody. Non just me," said one respondent who favored the taxation.

"When Philly'due south poorer children benefit, then volition my child—the better supported his peers are, the richer his youth will be intellectually and emotionally," said another. "When mamas can go back to piece of work sooner bc childcare becomes an selection, it is good for our economic system and the lives of all women in our city. The more equal the footing, the better for all of us."

The poll, conducted past Temple University Constitute for Survey Research, was co-sponsored by ISR, The Citizen, Young Involved Philadelphia, the metropolis's Section of Public Health/Get Good for you Philly and the Philadelphia Nutrient Trust. Information technology went out to citizens who signed up for the Establish's BeHeard℠ Philly, a project that aims to amass 10,000 Philadelphians to take regular surveys over the phone, through electronic mail or via text message. This survey is ane ISR's showtime, and the commencement in a series of collaborations with The Citizen.

Mayor Kenney's proposed soda tax is nevertheless just a proposal. But the costly and caustic debate has heated upwardly as City Council heads towards a budget vote adjacent month. Leading up to the primary, it engulfed both Sanders (against) and Clinton (for); in recent days, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has put his weight—and coin—behind supporting the revenue enhancement. Meanwhile, the American Beverage Association has spent $1.v 1000000 trying to fight the plan. No wonder the survey plant that more than 50 pct of citizens know a lot virtually the revenue enhancement.

Not surprisingly, an overwhelming bulk of citizens—83.eight pct—said it is "very important" that all children in Philadelphia attend pre-One thousand. Those who drinkable more than sugary beverages favor the revenue enhancement less than those who beverage less of information technology. And, equally is the common perception, the percentage of those who favor the tax rises dramatically with income. That speaks to a concern from many respondents that the poor—who would, later all, benefit the most from universal pre-Thousand—would too endure the near if the tax passes.

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"I don't drink sugary drinks on a regular footing, but I am a working grade person who came from a life of poverty," i respondent said. "I am not that far from falling back into poverty. All the taxes and increases of these taxes the urban center imposes on me and other Philadelphians, a majority of who live in poverty, merely increases and maintains poverty in the metropolis and increases the chances of someone similar me falling back into poverty. The sugary drink/soda tax will harm instead of help the most vulnerable of Philadelphians who are mostly poor and live in food deserts."

Said another, "What right does the government have in penalizing an individual for the manner in which they chose to live? Nosotros live in a supposed complimentary land and because you mayor deem sugar drinks unhealthy you desire to tax it. It will terminate upwardly only affecting the poorest in city equally people with transportation will just get right exterior the city as we do to get cigarettes."

The survey seems to validate a like poll then-Mayoral candidate Jim Kenney issued during his campaign, when 57 percent of Philadelphians said they would back up a revenue enhancement on sugary beverages to fill a upkeep gap in the school commune. After his ballot, Kenney shifted the recipients of his proposed tax—but public opinion has stayed the same, despite a monumental endeavor on the part of both opponents and supporters. ("Do they just cancel each other out?" wonders ISR study manager Nina Hoe.)

As well surprising: Only effectually 41 pct of Philadelphians self-reported as drinking sugary beverages—ranging from soda to fruit drinks to sports drinks—a few times per week. (Only 8 percent said they have them more once per 24-hour interval.) Considering how often soda consumption is linked to the prevalence of obesity (and even diabetes) in this state, you might think that number would exist much higher. (But, again: Self-reporting.)

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Many of the respondents gave thoughtful answers about why a tax would affect their lives positively, negatively or not at all, reflecting the complexity of an event that is often fix as an either/or: Either you back up universal pre-G, or you oppose the soda taxation. Those who hold both beliefs accept no voice in this debate.

"Why not tax bottled water too? Though it may exist a healthier alternative, it is a more consumed potable of people who have a more dispensable income too. Some balance should be here where everyone should pay in," i said.

"Soda equally a staple of your diet is bad for you lot," said some other. "Any incentive to help me not purchase soda which I believe the toll increase volition, is a good thing. Knowing that the additional cost I am paying for soda is going to the good causes the city has proposed will honestly brand me experience less bad than I currently practise when I get a soda."

Their voices matter. Your voice matters. Urban center Council held the first public hearing on the soda tax final evening, with nigh 100 citizens lining up to speak, mostly in favor. At that place'due south another scheduled for next Wednesday, May 11. The side by side opportunity for public testimony is currently scheduled for May eighteen.

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