New York Soda Ban, a good idea?
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Is the New York Soda Ban a good idea?
Well first of all what IS the New York Soda Ban? Basically New York City officials voted to approve a 16-ounce limit on sugary soft drinks. This would apply at restaurants, concession stands, fast-food joints, movie houses and Broadway theaters, workplace cafeterias, and most other places selling prepared food but not at grocery stores, convenience stores, or supermarkets. The stated goal is to reduce obesity.
While sugary drinks are a major cause of obesity, especially in youth, it is certainly not the only one. Beverage producers are naturally claiming that they are being unfairly targeted because of that.
Some proponents are hoping that this will at least open a discussion that will lead to increased awareness of the huge numbers of “bad-for-you” calories that are consumed daily. The idea is that the necessary cultural shift has to begin somewhere. That somewhere seems to be New York City. Recall Mayor Bloomberg’s other initiatives like barring trans-fats and putting curbs on smoking.
New York Soda Ban, yea or nay?
The fight, or at least the controversy about this is not going to go away. There is a lot of money riding on the implementation of this. And you can bet that the loophole finders have their loopholoscopes out and are examining the New York Soda Ban very closely.
What does it mean for the “average” person? There are times when you have been offered to “Supersize it” or “Big Gulp it”, or “Belly-Buster it”….have you? Or are you able to choose the wiser course without the input of government? In effect, will the ban cause any behavioral change in the people at whom it is targeted? This too is going to be hotly contested.