Would you support a tax on sugary drinks?

Should Boston tax sugary drinks? One Boston City Councilor is weighing the option as an additional revenue source for the city and a way to improve health outcomes. But the proposition has already faced some opposition. 

Last week, Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan filed an order for a hearing on a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax in the city of Boston. These beverages, also called “soft drinks,” are drinks sweetened with added sugar, such as fruit juices, sports beverages, and regular sodas.

In a post on Substack, Durkan argued a tax on SSBs would be a way to not only generate much-needed revenue for the city, but to also address America’s high rates of chronic disease. 

“A well-crafted home rule petition, developed in collaboration with community health centers, lawmakers, and academic leaders, would demonstrate Boston’s commitment to tackling health disparities, while generating revenue to address critical community needs,” she wrote. 

SSBs are the single largest source of calories and added sugar in American diets, according to Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Routine consumption of these drinks can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver cancer, and the overall likelihood of premature death. 

While the proposition has received support from some Boston City Councilors – including City Council president Ruthzee Louijeune – others have expressed skepticism about the effect of such a tax on small businesses and marginalized communities.

“During challenging times, it’s not the right time to add more taxes. We need to support residents and not hit them with as many taxes as we have been. We need to be fiscally disciplined and fiscally responsible,” Councilor Ed Flynn told Boston.com. 

We want to know: Would you support a tax on sugary drinks in Boston?

Tell us by filling out the form or e-mailing us at [email protected], and your response may appear in a future Boston.com article.

Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.