Will Banning Sugary Drinks Really Help Fight Obesity?
On Thursday, New York’s war on obesity reached new heights when a ban was issued for big sodas and sugary drinks at the city’s restaurants. Pause for effect. Proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the ban puts a 16-ounce (453-gram) limit on soda (non-diet), energy drinks, sweetened teas and more.
While obesity is an enduring problem in the U.S. where two-thirds of adults are overweight, the ban is seen as excessive and intrusive by detractors. The loudest criticism comes from the soft-drink industry, who may be considering a lawsuit.
They say the ban unfairly points the blame on soft drinks, and I am inclined to agree. Snacks, fast food, over-processed foods, fried foods and even excessive alcohol consumption are unhealthy and can lead to tremendous weight gain, but they aren’t being targeted.
Bloomberg believes the ban on soda will curb obesity and keep people alive. He tweeted: “NYC’s new sugary drink policy is the single biggest step any gov’t has taken to curb (hash)obesity. It will help save lives.” Well, lives that aren’t hampered by poor diets of fast and processed foods, that is.
grown people are going to do what they want to do. They’ll either buy a refill or bring their own to the movie theaters and whatnot. Whatever.
if it wasn’t a big deal, these companies wouldn’t really care.
also, cigarette smoking declined in places that inacted certain bans – no smoking in the office, building, tax on cigarettes…
these things can work. california has the lowest smoking rates in the country i believe…and it is the strictest when it comes to smoking.
I live in NYC and cant take this serious because they wanna ban big gulps but,still sell those cigarettes dont they. While I think adding healthy options for schools is good you policing what is consumed by paying customers. Why doesnt Bloomberg and Co limit the amount of fast food joints put up in poor neighborhoods,and had more afforable healthfood stores,they wont because those cats are lining the politicians pockets.
Uh, you used weight ounces instead of fluid ounces to convert to metric. The beverage size in metric should be about 473mL.
I just don’t see how this will curb obesity when restaurants offer free refills…the problem is not the drinks themselves; it’s a combination of many other factors including over consumption, lack of self control, and easy access to non-nutritional items.
I really wish the gov’t would stay out of my house, bedroom & life. In CA, the banned bad fats in food establishments in LA County. Ya know, sometimes your body just wants/needs a fat greasy burger. Stop telling me how to live my life, how to raise my kids, what to eat and what to do with my womb. I don’t drink soda (just doesn’t agree w/me), but if I got a “need” for a super size soda, I should be able to buy one. Same for buying a fat ladden burger. My choice. Dang.
@justanotheropinion
but the government has already stepped in by subsidizing these companies to enable them to produce cheap food for you.
so, without those subsidies, you probably would not buy that supersized soda because the price might be high. again, this is a policy issue that seeks to resolve an issue on the back end rather than the front end.
and, i live in l.a. there is no countywide ban on “bad” fats in food establishments. there was a voluntary program.
finally, if people were capable of making the best choices, people would not be so overweight and an increasing burden on our health care system which we all pay for.
why should the government (and the general public) absorb the cost of the effects of obesity in this country without being allowed to do something about it?
“sometimes your body just wants/needs a fat greasy burger”
no, it doesn’t…….