13th September, 2012
New York on Thursday became the first city in the United States and the whole world to impose a limited ban on super-sized soda drinks that Mayor Michael Bloomberg blames for fueling a national obesity crisis.
The ban, hotly opposed by soft drink manufacturers but hailed by health campaigners, was first proposed by Bloomberg and Thursday’s formal approval by the Board of Health was not considered a surprise.
The city health commissioner, Thomas Farley, called the vote “historic.”
However, Liz Berman, president of Continental Food and Beverage and head of the New Yorkers for Beverage Choices lobby group, described the “discriminatory ban” as a “fix.”
“It’s sad that the board wants to limit our choices. We are smart enough to make our own decisions about what to eat and drink,” she said in a statement.
However, there is nothing to stop people from buying as much soda as they like by refilling smaller containers. Also, the ban does not extend to drinks sold in supermarkets or any dairy or fruit drinks, many of which also contain huge quantities of sugar.
Diet and alcoholic drinks are also exempted.
The measure, which could face legal challenges from the soft drinks industry, takes effect in six months.
According to official statistics, some 6,000 people in New York die each year from obesity-linked problems. One in eight adult New Yorkers has diabetes, which can be aggravated by sugar consumption.
Although the measure is very far from being a ban on over-indulgence of sugary drinks, the disappearance of mega-sized cups in many establishments will at least make people more aware about what they’re consuming, Bloomberg says.
“New Yorkers will soon consume fewer junk calories and eventually begin turning the tide of the obesity epidemic that is destroying the health of far too many of our citizens,” he said.
Boosting the mayor, the newly built basketball stadium for the Brooklyn Nets announced it will immediately adopt the rules, well head of the March 12 deadline.
The measure generated a stormy debate, including 38,000 comments written to the Board of Health. Polls showed a majority of people opposing the ban.
Bloomberg has made public health a key plank of his administration, banning smoking in restaurants, bars, and most lately parks and beaches.
New Yorkers for Beverage Choices suggested that Bloomberg is out of control. “If this now, what’s next?” the group asked on its website.
“NYers want to be heard, not ignored,” the organization Tweeted. “Today’s #NYC Board of Health vote does NOT reflect that.” (AFP Report)