New York mayor seeks ban on sale of big sugary drinks

[garbon]

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/05/31/nyc-proposed-ban-on-large-sugary-drinks-drawing-mixed-reaction-from-nyers/

A proposed ban by Mayor Michael Bloomberg of large sodas and other sugary drinks is getting mixed reactions from New Yorkers.

In an effort to combat obesity, the proposed first-in-the-nation ban would impose a 16-ounce limit on the size of sweetened drinks sold at restaurants, movie theaters, sports venues and street carts. It would apply to bottled drinks as well as fountain sodas.

The ban, which could take effect as soon as March, would not apply to diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based drinks or alcoholic beverages. Nor would it include drinks sold in grocery or convenience stores. Food establishments that don't downsize would face fines of $200."

Bloomberg says sugary drinks and sodas are largely to blame for what he calls the city's obesity epidemic, noting more than half of adults living in New York City are overweight or obese as are nearly 40 percent of public school students.

Bloomberg said Wednesday that he "thinks it's what the public wants the mayor to do."

The proposal is getting mixed reaction from New Yorkers.

"I disagree with it, because it's the right to choose. If you want to drink a Slurpee, you should be allowed to drink a Slurpee," said Jamie Sawyer, a tourist from Oklahoma.

"How can they ban it? Isn't it a private enterprise? How can they tell you that you can not sell a drink above a certain size, that's ridiculous," one man said.

"I don't agree with him at all," one man said. "He's putting too many restrictions and I don't agree with him."

"Who are you to tell us what we should or should not do," said another.

But others think it's a good idea.

"They need to downsize the drinks, especially for the young kids," one man said.

"If it's not available, people won't buy it," said another. "They'll stick to healthy things like water."

A spokesman for the New York City Beverage Association, Stefan Friedman, criticized the proposal as "zealous." He said officials should seek solutions that are actually going to curb obesity.

"The city is not going to address the obesity epidemic by attacking soda because soda is not driving the obesity rates," the New York City Beverage Association said in a statement. "In fact, as obesity continues to rise, CDC data shows that calories from sugar-sweetened beverages are a small and declining part of the American diet. "

The proposal requires the approval of the city's Board of Health, which is considered likely because its members are all appointed by Bloomberg.

The Bloomberg administration has tried other ways to make soda consumption less appealing. The mayor supported a state tax on sodas, but the measure died in Albany, and he tried to restrict the use of food stamps to buy sodas, an idea federal regulars rejected.

[11B4V]

Good for him.

[The Brain]

Land of the Free (Willy).

Anyway, nothing surprises me about American Socialism. It pervades the country.

[derspiess]

Heard it this morning & figured it would be right up your alley, grabon. 

At this rate, the NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene will become one of the world's largest paramilitary units.

[DGuller]

Not sure what to think on this.  On the one hand, Bloomberg has really gotten annoying with his new take on paternalism.  On the other hand, Americans are physically degenerating into bloated whales at such an alarming rate that I can't be an absolutist when it comes to individual rights.

[Grey Fox]

You don't spend enough time sleeping.

[11B4V]

Americans are physically degenerating into bloated whales at such an alarming rate 

[Gups]

Better to tax than to ban.

[DGuller]

Better to tax than to ban.

That's what he tried at first, but state legislature nixed it.  I recall many sugar lobby ads on the airwaves with poor moms complaining that having to pay more for soda would really hit them in the pocketbook.

[The Brain]

Once you soda you can't stop. Map btw?

[Caliga]

Soda is for poor people.  When I want something other than water, it's alcohol all the way baby.  But most of the time, it's just water.

[DontSayBanana]

Retarded.  Any place selling 21oz+ drinks (aside from concession stands) is likely to offer free or discounted refills anyway.  He gonna ban free refills, too?

[11B4V]

Retarded.  Any place selling 21oz+ drinks (aside from concession stands) is likely to offer free or discounted refills anyway.  He gonna ban free refills, too?

Hopefully.

[CountDeMoney]

Well, he does have his name on the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, you know.  http://www.jhsph.edu/

Got a big ol' Kim Jung Il-sized portrait hanging in the massive foyer, too.  I used to gaze at it lovingly before his chopper arrived.

[Ideologue]

Soda is for poor people.  When I want something other than water, it's alcohol all the way baby.  But most of the time, it's just water.

Water is for poor people.  It comes out of fucking pipes.

But it's cool, they can outlaw sugar sodas entirely if they like.

If they ever try to take away my diet sodas, then it's guerre a outrance.