New York Soda Ban
New York City has a nickname called the city that never sleeps. Now, as a result of a new soda ban in the city, consumers cannot rely on caffeinated soda to produce energy to stay up throughout the night. Recently, the Board of Health in New York City approved a proposal by Mayor Bloomberg to prohibit sugary beverages that are more than sixteen ounces. This new proposal by the mayor only affects certain locations from selling these large beverages. Convenience stores are still allowed to sell large sugary drinks, but the restaurants, fast food places, athletic arenas, and movie theaters are prohibited. This plan however does not apply for diet drinks, juices that contain over seventy percent fruit juice, and alcoholic beverages that contain sugar.
The mayor of New York City feels that this ban will help the obesity problem that is occurring in the city. The obesity rates were increasing and something had to be done about them. Bloomberg feels that sugary sodas contribute highly to our countries obesity problem. He hopes that the ban gains support as the ban against smoking in public places. He also hopes that other cities around the country will join in with New York City and participate. Bloomberg said “This is the single biggest step any city, I think, has ever taken to curb obesity.” He also added, “It’s certainly not the last step that lots of cities are going to take, and we believe that it will help save lives.” This ban which was recently approved, will take place on March 12th, and after that day if the rule is broken fines up to $200 will be faced.
In recent discussions of the New York Soda Ban, a controversial issue has been whether or not large sugary drinks are a large contributor to the obesity rate
in America. On one hand, some argue that it is the food not the drinks that cause obesity. From this perspective, there should have been a ban on fast food,
not the intake of large sodas. On the other hand, however, others argue that many factors lead to obesity, and we need to begin to take forward steps in
solving this colossal problem. In sum, the issue is whether this soda ban was a smart first step in solving our countries obesity problem, or a drastically
failed attempt that will end in less than a year.
My own view is that this soda ban is a smart idea. Though I concede that it will not solve our countries obesity problem right away, I still maintain that it is
a very good thing that the government is taking an approach to actually solve this problem. For example, the ban of large sodas in New York City may lead to a country wide ban on large sodas, which expectantly springs forward a revolt against obesity. The issue is important because obesity is a large problem in America. Hopefully, the ban of large sodas will lead to the ban of fast food, which I believe is the biggest contributor to America’s obesity problem.
The mayor of New York City feels that this ban will help the obesity problem that is occurring in the city. The obesity rates were increasing and something had to be done about them. Bloomberg feels that sugary sodas contribute highly to our countries obesity problem. He hopes that the ban gains support as the ban against smoking in public places. He also hopes that other cities around the country will join in with New York City and participate. Bloomberg said “This is the single biggest step any city, I think, has ever taken to curb obesity.” He also added, “It’s certainly not the last step that lots of cities are going to take, and we believe that it will help save lives.” This ban which was recently approved, will take place on March 12th, and after that day if the rule is broken fines up to $200 will be faced.
In recent discussions of the New York Soda Ban, a controversial issue has been whether or not large sugary drinks are a large contributor to the obesity rate
in America. On one hand, some argue that it is the food not the drinks that cause obesity. From this perspective, there should have been a ban on fast food,
not the intake of large sodas. On the other hand, however, others argue that many factors lead to obesity, and we need to begin to take forward steps in
solving this colossal problem. In sum, the issue is whether this soda ban was a smart first step in solving our countries obesity problem, or a drastically
failed attempt that will end in less than a year.
My own view is that this soda ban is a smart idea. Though I concede that it will not solve our countries obesity problem right away, I still maintain that it is
a very good thing that the government is taking an approach to actually solve this problem. For example, the ban of large sodas in New York City may lead to a country wide ban on large sodas, which expectantly springs forward a revolt against obesity. The issue is important because obesity is a large problem in America. Hopefully, the ban of large sodas will lead to the ban of fast food, which I believe is the biggest contributor to America’s obesity problem.