About Us
Alliance for a Healthier Vermont, founded December 2010
Co-Coordinators Nicole Lukas, American Heart Association, Vermont Chapter and Peter Sterling, Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security.
Member Organizations
AARP-VT
American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter
American Heart Association
American Cancer Society
Health Care Ombudsman’s Office
Healthy Communities Coalition of Windham County
Health Connections of the Upper Valley
Meeting Waters YMCA
Voices for Vermont’s Children
VPIRG
VT Academy of Family Physicians
VT Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
VT Association of Diabetes Educators
VT Association of Naturopathic Physicians
VT Association of Nurse Anesthetists
VT Association of Orthodontists
VT Campaign for Health Care Security
VT Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association
VT Chiropractic Association
VT Citizens Campaign for Health
VT Dental Hygienists’ Association
VT Medical Society
VT NEA
VT Nurse Practitioners Association
VT Pharmacists Association
VT Public Health Association
VT State Dental Society
Preamble and Principles For Earmarking An SSB Excise Tax
The enactment of a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) excise tax by the Vermont Legislature will be a significant step, from both a political and public health standpoint, in fighting obesity and working to reduce the serious medical problems associated with the over-consumption of refined sugar products. This tax is a measured response to a deepening public health crisis.
Not only will it provide Vermonters with a financial inducement make a healthier choice, if directed appropriately, it could generate revenues for vital public health education, obesity prevention and other health care initiatives. By disincentivizing Vermonters from making less healthy choices about what they drink, an SSB excise tax could help lower the costs of health care, making it more affordable for everyone.
The Alliance for a Healthier Vermont recognizes that low income Vermonters will be affected more by this tax. However, we also know that low income Vermonters are disproportionately impacted by obesity, chronic diseases, access to healthy food, and access to health care. We call on the Legislature to dedicate the revenues raised from an SSB tax to primarily serve the health needs of low and middle-income Vermonters. Specifically, the revenue must be invested in programs that:
Provide public education on the increased prevalence of obesity, its health risks, and the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages and obesity;
Maintain and improve access to affordable, high-quality health care services, both medical and oral;
Expand the availability of low-cost, nutritious food for those who are food insecure;
Evaluate the effectiveness of the excise tax in reducing unhealthy consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages