What Factors Contributed to the Failure of New York's Sugary Drink Tax Proposals? What are Policy and Strategy Recommendations for a Successful New York Sugary Drink Tax Proposal?

This paper examines sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) policies in New York City and New York State. Sugar-sweetened beverages are linked to a host of chronic diseases that have prompted local and state governments to reduce consumption through a variety of policies, such as taxes. This research constructs an understanding based on the public health, fiscal, and equity rationales, and it evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of SSB taxes. New York City’s attempted sugar-sweetened beverage portion size cap and New York State’s proposed excise taxes illustrate both breakthroughs and resistance in sugar-sweetened beverage policymaking. These strategies offer examples of success, though broader impacts remain hindered by legal, political, and industry challenges, as New York experienced. The research calls attention to the need for coordinated, equity-focused approaches to address the overconsumption of sugar-sweetened beverages that give rise to health disparities, as well as New York-specific recommendations.