When you see patients, you talk with them about type II diabetes, about obesity, and about their diet and which foods and beverages they consume. But one way to perhaps reduce the amount of calories that your patients are consuming is to increase the cost of sweet drinks, such as soda, fruit, and some sports beverages. This might help families reconsider purchasing sugary drinks, raise needed money for California schools and health care, and reduce the obesity rate and the rate of type II diabetes over time.

That’s the theory behind California Senate Bill 1210, introduced by Shafter Democrat Dean Florez. Florez’ plan, already endorsed by the California Medical Association and sponsored by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, would tax sweet drinks sold in California at the rate of a penny per teaspoon of sugar. This bill would not affect the price of diet drinks.

According to reports, with the proposed tax, an average 12 ounce can of soda might cost up to a dime more. A bottle of a sports beverage might have its price raised about 15 cents.

It’s a solution that could raise more than $1 billion in revenue for the State.

As expected, the industries potentially affected are not sitting still. Late last week, an industry group, the Center for Consumer Freedom, disagreed about the link between sugary drinks and obesity. Another group “Californians Against Food and Beverage Taxes” says there are better ways to keep people healthy.

In a statement, a Center for Consumer Freedom representative said soda was not a unique cause of obesity.

"It's only the overconsumption of calories, whether from soda or other foods and drinks, that lead people to put on extra pounds," said J. Justin Wilson in a statement.

In the Mercury News, State Sen. Elaine Alquist, D-Santa Clara, was quoted as telling industry executives that, "to be told that all calories are equal, that sweetened soda pop is not contributing to obesity ... the public is not stupid."

According to studies cited by Florez, obesity-related health care costs in California total more than $41 billion a year.

Another study Florez pointed to said nearly two out of three adolescents regularly drink a soda. A UCLA study shows that the average California adult consumes 39 pounds of sugar from soda alone, every year.

Theresa Stark an advocate with the California Medical Association, said at a press conference that physicians are concerned about the short and long-term health of these children and adolescents.

“Doctors are very concerned that kids and adolescents are getting many of their daily calories from these products,” she said. “They are basically on liquid diets that are providing no nutritional value whatsoever...”

Last week, Florez told reporters that he wanted a healthier California.

"I don't want obesity to be the legacy that we leave to our children," Florez said.