Soda Ban May Hit the Big Apple 1141
An anonymous reader writes "NYC residents may soon be unable to buy big gulps. In an effort to curb obesity, New York City's Mayor Bloomberg is seeking a ban on oversized sodas in restaurants, movie theaters and stadiums officials said on Wednesday. 'Obesity is a nationwide problem, and all over the U.S., public health officials are wringing their hands saying, "Oh, this is terrible,"' Mayor Bloomberg said. 'New York City is not about wringing your hands; it's about doing something. I think that's what the public wants the mayor to do.'"
Educate first. (Score:4, Interesting)
Instead of banning something entirely (this is still a "free" country, right?), lets just educate consumers on what they're putting into their bodies. For example, if you want to buy a 64 oz. soda, you live in America, you get your big ass soda. However, put the nutrition info on the cup so you, at the very least, can learn that 64 oz. of Pepsi contains 800 calories, about 1/3 recommended daily intake, and 224 grams of carbs, about 3/4 recommended daily intake. That's disgusting and the problem is nobody realizes how disgusting that is.
Re:How is this legal? (Score:5, Interesting)
It is my addiction though.
I've switched over time from 128oz of Mountain Dew a day to a pair of 12oz Mountain Dew Throwback cans a day. I still end up occasionally bowing to the fountain soda in the combo meal at lunch time, but I've also started bringing my lunch four out of five days a week.
With no other changes, no increase in exercise, no major effort other than to bring to eat only what I want to carry around with me in a cooler, I've lost weight. When I have the wherewithal to keep to it (it's hard and I have to occasionally get lunches out when I get tired of cold cuts) it works well, saves me money, and helps me to live better.
We're addicted to food. Unlike most addictions, we can't simply stop eating though. We're surrounded by food that used to be special occasion food. Deserts, deep-fried foods loaded with spices, an overabundance of meats. How the hell are you supposed to eat right when there are almost no options to eat right?
I'd restrict the cup size. I wouldn't go 16oz, probably more like 24. I would ban free refills once one has left the premises. If you're in the restaurant you can continue to get your free refills like normal. If you're at a convenience store, either you bring your own cup to get more than 24oz, or if the store allows it, you drink your drink and refill on the spot.
A simple ban on fast food joints and convenience stores selling cups larger than a certain size will do a lot to curtail it, and won't restrict patrons from larger cups if they bring their own cup.
Re:How about some evidence (Score:5, Interesting)
That a large cup of non-diet soda contains a large quantity of sugar/HFCS is not up for debate, this is an established fact.
That sugars produce an insulin response is not up for debate and has been scientifically established for nearly 100 years. That insulin is the primary hormonal driver of fat accumulation has been scientifically established since the 1960s.
We know this and have known this for for nearly 50 years. It's less open to debate than evolution, and that's a closed subject.
Banning is probably the wrong approach from an economics perspective, and the details are poor, too -- allowing juice? That's like saying smoking menthols is better than smoking non-menthols. Metabolically there is zero difference, and in many ways juice is much worse due to the fructose content.
Not needed in NYC! (Score:2, Interesting)
If you have ever been to NYC, you'll see that the obesity epidemic is not nearly as visible there as in the suburbs. People actually *walk* to get places in NYC, and therefore get exercise whether they planned to or not. And you actually have options as to what to drink in NYC. It is much easier and socially acceptable to have good lifestyle habits in the city.
Here in the suburbs, we have no sidewalks and it is near suicide to consider walking or bicycling on the roads. All the "restaurants" are crappy pizza joints with your choice of Coke or Pepsi or Gatorade (sugar, sugar, or sugar). I have to drive 10 minutes away to find a safe place to walk or bike, and have to have a gym membership in order to get any meaningful exercise. I'd love to live in a city, any city.
Re:How is this legal? (Score:4, Interesting)
Google "obesity paradox".
Re:Get a refill.. (Score:4, Interesting)
I wonder if this cultural, learned, or genetic behavior?
The reason why I ask is because I find the serving sizes for just about everything in the US to be too big. I grew up in Canada and moved to Boston about 12 years ago. I find that, when I go out to eat, I usually have food left over. I sometimes get flack from my friends about wasting food, but the way I see it is that I stop eating when I've had enough. I never continue to eat just to clean off the plate. The same applies to soda and other drinks.
So, for me, serving size doesn't matter, I simply stop when I've had enough.
Re:Get a refill.. (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Yet another reason.... (Score:5, Interesting)
"why is it the govts responsibility to protect stupid people from their own stupid actions?" ... who do you think paid for this?
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-04-10/news/31320495_1_fire-department-rescue-crews-hazmat [nydailynews.com]
"It took the combined efforts of police, fire department, Hazmat unit and EMTs to finally get a 600-pound man in need of medical attention out of his Pennsylvania home." our tax dollars pay for EMS. Fire, Police and Hazmat (WTF hazmat)... it's not like this was a 20 minute call either. they had to CUT THE HOUSE AWAY to get the kid out.
600 lbs.. I weigh 160. Imagine having me wrapped around your gut almost 4 times over.
Problem (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Yet another reason.... (Score:5, Interesting)
Mod this guy up. It is ridiculous that the most sanguine point I have seen yet is being modded as flamebait. Perhaps /. is so addicted to soda they can't handle the truth?
Well here it is: Soda, in huge quantities is bad for you. It is not the government's responsibility to save people who - of their own volition - knowingly destroy their bodies with huge quantities of sugar or fat. This is contrary to natural selection and even common sense.
If someone wants to get so fat that they become impotent and are repulsive/can't physically reproduce, please let them. Evolution works if you leave it the fuck alone. Stop protecting the stupid and evil, and let them get what they deserve.
"That guy ran into traffic, got hit by a bus and was killed!" - "Well I see no other option than to ban buses!"
Fed government does NOT pay for abortion (Score:4, Interesting)
It is currently against the law for the government to pay for abortions. The money given to planned parenthood is for women's health initiatives, such as preventing women from getting cervical cancer from HPV. I would, in fact, support free abortions. I'd rather have someone irresponsible abort a kid that they can't afford to take care of instead of being robbed by that kid or having taxpayers pay tens of thousands of dollars per year for his prison time.
The problem is that we're all connected and unless you want to be responsible for providing your own roads, drinking water, electricity and defending your compound that is unsafe to leave, we need at least some level of government and socialization. Medical care in that world seems kind of pointless, as you would have no great methods of contacting a provider (no eminent domain to build a network of telephone wires, radio waves would be useless without a central body to set up channels), and they might not be able to reach you quickly through a patchwork of private roads. And you'd better hope you have something worth bartering for care without a nanny state to set up and maintain a common currency. But at least there would be no government to steal your money for taxes or control your actions...just robbers, pirates, criminals.
I'm not saying the government should encourage people to be lazy by any means, just that there are indirect benefits to providing some services.
Re:Advantages to the Ban (Score:4, Interesting)
Not any more acidic than apple juice, and far less acidic than cranberry juice. Lemonade, depending on the strength, can be even worse than cranberry juice.