NY’s Large Drink Ban, Where Do You Stand?
Okinawa Soba/Flickr
This week the New York City Board of Health, at the behest of Mayor Billionaire Bloomberg, approved a ban on large sugary drinks.
Seeking to reduce runaway obesity rates, the New York City Board of Health on Thursday approved a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, street carts and movie theaters, the first restriction of its kind in the country.
The measure, which bars the sale of many sweetened drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces, is to take effect on March 12, unless it is blocked by a judge. – nytimes.com Health Panel Approves Restriction on Sale of Large Sugary Drinks
Our drink sizes are way out of control. Big Gulps used to be a challenge, now that size is normal.
With obesity in this country way past the danger zone and childhood diabetes becoming more common place, I can understand the idea behind the policy. However, and this may surprise many coming from someone whose refrigerator looks like a produce department, I don’t agree with the ban. We are offensively fat. Yes, something must be done to change the ass size of Americans before the planet rolls over but I don’t think this is the way to go. First of all it’s meaningless. Some people will just buy two drinks. Second, what about the rest of the garbage that usually accompanies those buckets of soda? Sure every little bit helps but I can still by a 2 liter bottle of soda for somewhere around $0.99.
Obey your thirst.
Then there is the choice aspect. I completely understand that reducing obesity saves tax payers money. A nation of overweight people have an affect on rising health care related costs and energy consumption. Ok, after that assessment I’m almost lost about why I don’t support the ban. Oh yea. The issue is, this ban sets a precedent that has the possibility to lead to us being more and more controlled. Also, it’s a half-assed band-aid attempt to solve a much larger problem. You might say that at least they are trying something. Bloomberg would probably agree.
“This is the single biggest step any city, I think, has ever taken to curb obesity,” Mr. Bloomberg said shortly after the vote.
Really? This is your big effort? I’ve got some better more effective steps. Michelle Obama is focusing on physical activity, maybe she’s on to something Bloomy. How about stop cutting gym class in school? How about school lunches with a focus on raw fruits and vegetables and water to drink? My high school had diet soda machines because I guess the diet part made them feel better about putting soda in our schools. How about we put a ban on the toxic ingredients in our food supply like steroids, hormones and industrial chemicals? How about education on the subject? How about zoning that restricts the amount of bodega’s and convenience stores that primarily stock these offending foods in the poorer neighborhoods where obesity is an even more devastating problem. You want to make a real effort give me a call.
Some are comparing it to the smoking ban put in place in New York that restricts smoking inside of public establishments and outdoors at public locations. There is no comparison. The smoking ban I support and were I President I would make it national law. You can’t get obese by standing next someone drinking a jug of corn syrup and carbonated water but you are attacked by toxic poison when a smoker is puffing near by.
Personal responsibility in America is sorely lacking, especially in health related matters. Obesity and diet related illnesses are killing us or making us pawns of the pharmaceutical industry and the AMA. It needs to stop but a small roadblock that sets a precedent that says we are protecting you from yourself for your own good may bite us in the butt later on. The TSA and law enforcement loves that type of mentality. Drink sizes need to be smaller but being told to make them smaller doesn’t stop them from doubling up or filling that fix with something else. The mentality has to change.
There are reasonable arguments on both sides of the issue. It’s easy to buy into the ban for some of the reasons I cited
above. Maybe I’m wrong and am short-sighted on the issue. After that obvious viral marketing video promoting the bacon sundae below I might have to change my stance. SMH.
This is you America, look at yourself!
What do you think?
Loading ...Additional:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/nyregion/health-board-approves-bloombergs-soda-ban.html
http://www.motherjones.com/media/2012/06/supersize-biggest-sodas-mcdonalds-big-gulp-chart
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24443965@N08/6039232921/in/set-72157627220835741/
Jaylon Carter is a blogger, social media marketing consultant, former Congressional Campaign Media & Communications Director, national labor union vice block leader, and a Hip Hop artist who performs under the stage name Timid (@timidmc).
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