New York Planning To Ban Soda Sizes Above A Medium
You see, New Yorkers aren’t fat because they have unhealthy lifestyles. New Yorkers are fat because they’re allowed to make certain choices when it comes to their food and beverages.
So, obviously, the government must step and remove some of those choices from them. For their own good.
And here you thought this was a free country.
New York City plans to enact a far-reaching ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters and street carts, in the most ambitious effort yet by the Bloomberg administration to combat rising obesity.
The proposed ban would affect virtually the entire menu of popular sugary drinks found in delis, fast-food franchises and even sports arenas, from energy drinks to pre-sweetened iced teas. The sale of any cup or bottle of sweetened drink larger than 16 fluid ounces — about the size of a medium coffee, and smaller than a common soda bottle — would be prohibited under the first-in-the-nation plan, which could take effect as soon as next March.
The measure would not apply to diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based drinks like milkshakes, or alcoholic beverages; it would not extend to beverages sold in grocery or convenience stores.
“Obesity is a nationwide problem, and all over the United States, public health officials are wringing their hands saying, ‘Oh, this is terrible,’ ” Mr. Bloomberg said in an interview on Wednesday in the Governor’s Room at City Hall.
“New York City is not about wringing your hands; it’s about doing something,” he said. “I think that’s what the public wants the mayor to do.” …
Restaurants, delis, movie theater and ballpark concessions would be affected, because they are regulated by the health department. Carts on sidewalks and in Central Park would also be included, but not vending machines or newsstands that serve only a smattering of fresh food items.
At fast-food chains, where sodas are often dispersed at self-serve fountains, restaurants would be required to hand out cup sizes of 16 ounces or less, regardless of whether a customer opts for a diet drink. But free refills — and additional drink purchases — would be allowed.
So they’re not banning refills or buying more than one drink. Which is nice of them, I guess.
What bothers me is this assumption that Americans shouldn’t be allowed to choose to be fat. I’m not saying that’s a good choice – I carry more than my fair share of pounds around and I’d like to lose weight – but I am saying that Americans should be allowed to make that choice.
I do not want to live in a society where the government can regulate my lifestyle for my own good. That’s not in keeping with notions about liberty. After all, it’s not like we’re being tricked. It’s not like we don’t know that soda, consumed in large quantities, will make us fat. We do know that, and we choose to drink enormous amounts of soda anyway.
The government really has no business getting involved.
Tags: michael bloomberg, nanny statism, soda
