New York bans large sugary drinks

[Jazzy]

New York City's health board passes a law prohibiting the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces, an act that Mayor Michael Bloomberg says will save lives by reducing obesity.



New York City passed the first US ban of oversized sugary drinks on Thursday in its latest controversial step to reduce obesity and its deadly complications in a nation with a weight problem.



The mayoral-appointed city health board outlawed sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces (0.47 liters) nearly everywhere they are sold, except grocery and convenience stores. Violators of the ban, which does not include diet sodas, face a $200 fine.



At a news conference at City Hall, Bloomberg heralded the measure's passage as the single biggest step any city I think has ever taken to curb obesity.

We believe that it will help save lives, he added.



About one-third of Americans are obese, and about 10 per cent of the nation's healthcare bill is tied to obesity-related diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and hypertension, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Source



How can this be considered a ban when you can still buy these drinks in grocery and convenience stores?



[font=tahoma, geneva, sans-serif]P.S. Bloomberg: Diet sodas are more harmful than sugary drinks. Perhaps you need to do some research before making such an asinine statement We believe that it will help save lives.

 

[Flurry]

Oh yeah, I'd love to see how they intend to force this ban. If someone wants it bad enough, they'll find a way to get it. I think they are overstepping their bounds, especially with the fine price.

 

[Jazzy]

What's next? Ban all the fast food joints in New York?



What I eat and drink is my business and no one else's!

 

[Sinon]

Big deal, they've banned one size. Can you still buy two drinks that are half the size of the banned one?



Pretty sure you can. And if they ban that? How about buying 4 that are half the size of that? And so on/so forth.

 

[Bluezone777]

Well it's nice to see the government do what it does best. Strip away your rights under the guise of public health, spends tons of money, accomplish absolutely nothing yet somehow still get reelected. Only in government could you pull this off without getting fired or having to become useful at some point.

 

[Raven]

I would rather drink a full fat/sugar drink than a diet one.