Support added tax on sugary drinks

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recently recognized for the first time ever that poor diet can cause cancer. This study gives more reason for our lawmakers to support the newly introduced "Healthy Eating plus Active Living" (HEAL) Act.

The HEAL Act will use funds from a small tax on high-sugar beverages to provide tools and resources for Illinoisans to live healthier lives. It's expected to generate more than $600 million to help communities promote physical activity and affordable, healthy food through opportunities like better school lunches, physical education, farmer's markets and safe parks for kids and families to be active.

Sugary drinks are the single-largest source of added sugar in Americans' diet. These drinks contribute to high rates of diabetes, cancer, obesity and heart disease that cost Illinoisans more than $6 billion a year in unnecessary health care costs.

As a cancer advocate, I am especially concerned with the link between sugary drinks and cancer. One out of three cancer deaths in the United States is linked to excess body weight, poor nutrition or physical inactivity.

The HEAL Act could reduce sugary drink consumption by more than 23 percent, decrease obesity rates in both youth and adults and, therefore, reduce cancer incidence in our state. I hope our lawmakers will join Sen. Mattie Hunter and Rep. Robyn Gabel and support the HEAL Act. With more than 65,000 Illinoisans expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, now is the time to break our sugar addiction.

Maggie Powell

Waukegan