New York City Soda Ban: Government Decides What You Drink?

The New York soda ban has been approved by the city’s Board of Health. This ban, presented by Mayor Michael Bloomberg bans large beverages with large sugar content from being served in places such as restaurants, movie theaters and sport stadiums among other locations. The plan limits cups to 16 ounces maximum. Drinks sold in grocery stores, those that contain seventy percent juice, diet sodas and alcoholic beverages are exempt from this ban.

Supporters of the ban say it’s the right move to cub obesity, reports myfoxphilly.

“The Board of Health did the right thing for New York,” said Dr. Steven Safyer, president and CEO of Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, in a statement. “For the past several years, I’ve seen the number of children and adults struggling with obesity skyrocket, putting them at early risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Sugary beverages play a major role in this cycle, and are so heavily marketed to children, they jeopardize the next generation of New Yorkers.”

Not Everyone Likes The Ban

The plan to reduce the amount of sugary beverages sold in the city has sparked some backlash from many people.

Those who do not agree with this plan include residents of the city along with people in the beverage industry. In fact, beverage industry representatives have started a million dollar campaign.

Many are concerned about the affect that this ban could have on businesses that mainly sell beverages. On the positive side, many believe that this ban could help reduce obesity in the city.

Opponents have vowed to fight the law in court.

“We are smart enough to make our own decisions about what to eat and drink,” Liz Berman, a business owner and chair of New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, a soft-drink industry sponsored group.

A New York Times poll in August suggested that 60% of New Yorkers were against the measure.

In a 2011 list of “fattest states” New York came in at 41.

Here’s the list:

1. Mississippi (34.4%)
2. Alabama (32.3%)
3. West Virginia (32.2%)
4. Tennessee (31.9%)
5. Louisiana (31.6%)
6. Kentucky (31.5%)
7. Oklahoma (31.4%)
8. South Carolina (30.9%)
9. Arkansas (30.6%)
10. Michigan (30.5%)
11. Missouri (30.3%)
12. Texas (30.1%)
13. Ohio (29.6%)
14. North Carolina (29.4%)
15. Indiana (29.1%)
16. Kansas (29%);
17. (tie) Georgia (28.7%); and South Dakota (28.7%)
19. Pennsylvania (28.5%)
20. Iowa (28.1%)
21. (tie) Delaware (28%); and North Dakota (28%)
23. Illinois (27.7%)
24. Nebraska (27.6%)
25. Wisconsin (27.4%)
26. Maryland (27.1%)
27. Maine (26.5%)
28. Washington (26.4%)
29. Florida (26.1%)
30. (tie) Alaska (25.9%); and Virginia (25.9%)
32. Idaho (25.7%)
33. (tie) New Hampshire (25.6%); and New Mexico (25.6%)
35. (tie) Arizona (25.4%); Oregon (25.4%) and Wyoming (25.4%)
38. Minnesota (25.3%)
39. Nevada (25.0%)
40. California (24.8%)
41. New York (24.7%)
42. Rhode Island (24.3%)
43. New Jersey (24.1%)
44. Montana (23.8%)
45. Vermont (23.5%)
46. Utah (23.4%)
47. Hawaii (23.1%)
48. Massachusetts (22.3%);
49. Connecticut (21.8%)
50. District of Columbia (21.7%)
51. Colorado (19.8%).

Source: Trust for America’s Health; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation