BALTIMORE, MD (June 16, 2016) –Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to the passage of a soda tax in Philadelphia:

“Philadelphia’s soda tax is a great step toward improving public health, and we commend Philadelphia’s City Council for acting in the best interest of its residents. We hope that Baltimore will follow suit by passing legislation currently before City Council that will require warning labels on advertisements and at points-of-sale for sugary drinks.”

"Research shows that drinking one of these beverages a day increases a child’s risk of becoming obese by 60 percent. In Baltimore, 1 in 3 children is overweight or obese and 1 in 4 drink a soda every day. Heart disease – a condition linked to obesity – is the number one killer of our citizens.

“This is as much an issue of justice as it is one of health. We know that beverage companies disproportionately market to low-income communities of color. Education and awareness are some of the best tools we can use to combat the childhood obesity epidemic. It is our responsibility to do everything we can to inform our community about the true health risks of sugar-sweetened beverages.

“We applaud Philadelphia’s leaders for forging the path toward a healthier lifestyle for their residents."