does the New York soda ban help or hurt

An extra large soft drink from McDonald’s could be a thing of the past if the New York soda ban passes. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

New York soda ban

By now, nearly everyone has heard of the proposed New York soda ban.  Yes a soda ban.

Is a soda ban appropriate?

New York’s Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, thinks so and has initiated a proposal to limit the size of soft drinks served to 16 ounces.

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There are certain qualifiers under which the ban would be enforced.  For example, it would only apply to establishments under the auspices of the Department of Health.

It would therefore  includes restaurants, movie theaters, sports venues, coffee shops, food trucks and street carts but not grocery and convenience stores. Any business that receives a letter grade from the city could not sell sugar sweetened drinks that are over 16 ounces under the rules proposed.

Why do New Yorkers need big brother looking over their shoulder?  If the soda ban does pass, many New Yorkers feel that more and more “things” – not just food items – would then be fair game.  and many are too happy about that.

Mayor Bloomberg  had been busy making his case as to why the New York soda ban is good and needed. For his final round of promotion and publicity to garner support before the public hearing that took place yesterday, he compared the New York soda ban to the increased awareness of trans fat. Here’s what he said,

Six years ago, naysayers called the trans fat ban ‘a misguided attempt at social engineering by a group of physicians who don’t understand the restaurant industry. This week, we saw evidence that the ban is reducing New Yorkers’ fat intake and potentially saving lives. Six years from now, hopefully we are celebrating a reversal in the obesity epidemic currently killing 5,800 New Yorkers a year and due to our plan to limit the size of sugary beverages and other anti-obesity initiatives.

If the  New York soda ban as proposed is indeed passed, will it truly lead New Yorker’s to partake in a healthier lifestyle? Will they simply patronize 7-11 or another location not under the auspices of the Department of Health to get their sugar fix in the size that they want?

What if a person is in the movie theater, which falls under the Department of Heath, and wants to purchase 2 soft drinks because they were elected to go to the refreshment stand and get drinks? Could they be they be denied even though only one  is for their own consumption? The interpretations of the New York soda ban, if passed would certainly be confusing.

According to the New Yorkers for Beverage Choices website, they already have nearly 93,000 supporters to opposed the proposed ban. Is it enough?

Will restricting the size of soft drinks REALLY deter New determined New Yorker’s from getting a soda in the size they want.

As a hard-core born and bred New Yorker, I think not.

Related articles

• Public Hearing on Soda Ban Lacks Input From Public(nymag.com)

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• Public hearing on proposed NY sugary drink ban(hosted.ap.org)

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