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New York just passed into legislation to ban the purchase of more than 16 ounces of soda at one time. This means that restaurants, movie theaters, street vendors and other establishments are not allowed to sell more than a medium sized drink. As this is great news to help take control of the major obesity issue that America is facing, what will stop buyers from simply going back to the venue and purchasing another beverage?? Will this hurt businesses financially due to restricting their sells on product? How will locals of New York city feel about this?
What are your thoughts on this legislation? We have freedom speech but no freedom to purchase now. And still we can walk into a store and buy as much as alcohol and beer as we want…..
Whole heartily I understand the reasoning for this ban however there are other ways to take control and help people to eat and live healthier. Peer groups, more education boards, community outreach, mandates on beverage suppliers to remove certain chemicals and syrups.
And why New York city? This is major tourism city that people visit and when they do they want to have fun and enjoy themselves and not be restricted on the size of the drink they can order?
Mayor Bloomberg in a interview with Dr. Gupta stated “this is a personal issue for me”. However, to me smoking and tobacco is a much bigger issue than drinking a large soda. Lets fry this big fish first and then work our way down.
L-Jay Health 
Honestly I appreciate the thought because we do have an obesity epidemic in our country but I think the idea is ridiculous. I believe in the freedom of choice. Would I personally choose to drink that much? No way, but why should we limit the distributors if the market is there, kwim?
Exactly! Its up to the person as to how much they choose to drink. We all have to live with our actions.
I do believe in freedom of choice. Where do we draw the line?? We just like to blame things on other people or other things instead of taking responsibility for our own actions.
Right…We have to take responsibility for our actions. Not fair to those who eat right and want to enjoy a beverage every now and then.
AMEN!
The major problem I have with this legislation is that the U.S. government subsidizes corn and soy. It seem like a no-win situation. I think that we should focus on the real problem: overproduction of cheap food/sweetener.
Yes and those subsidies are astronomical and definitely keeps the production going. Corn is a much bigger issue than a cup size. Thanks for the response!
Does this mean any politician with a “personal” issue will foist his issue on everyone? Where does it end? If a politician has an issue with say, coffee or even potato chips, does this mean he passes a law that says anyone in “his” city can’t have them because he doesn’t like it?? It’s truly taking away a persons right to choose. We are turning into the book 1984 in truth and it is very scary.
This is one of those hard calls for me. I don’t like being told what I can or can not do, but I also see the effects of junk food on our population. As I write this I am watching ads for junk food franchises during a football game. I think people need to be responsible for their own decisions, but I think they also need to be better informed of the consequences of those decisions.
I’d rather they ban GMOs and High Fructose Corn Syrup. But I also believe in freedom and to me, this isn’t freedom.While I generally consider soda to be the worst thing you could ever ingest, I don’t think it is to blame. People are to blame. I can’t see this staying permanent without someone challenging it.
While I don’t agree with the final outcome, I think the conversation and spotlight on the subject of obesity and the role sodas play has been nothing but good for the country. I have been a soda drinker since I can remember (and I’m still trying to cut the habit)…my parents had nothing but soda in the fridge. If I knew better, if I heard all of this then would that have made a difference? Who knows but the fact that the conversation is happening gives me hope that at least some kids will read or hear a news story and act by cutting out sodas from their diet.
This legislation bugs me. Just yesterday I burned around 4000 calories in my workout. I consumed way more than 16 oz of liquid. The last thing I need is legislators to block me from purchasing the nutrition need at the time. Just an example, bike bottles are 28 oz.
Why not find high school lifetime fitness or PE classes or something productive?
WOW Andrew, I wish I burned that many calories haha. But I understand exactly where you are coming from.
I like the idea behind the law and hope that it does something. Personally haven’t had any soft drink for over a year now and I really don’t miss them. But I used to drink a ton before I went paleo. In the pre paleo days it wasn’t a big deal to drink a 2 liter in a night and not think anything of it. Maybe some people just won’t be bothered to go back for a second one and then they’re health will be impacted just by a little bit. Then again maybe I’m being too optimistic. Only time will tell.
Yes, will be interesting to see the outcome and if other states will follow the trend. Nice job on cutting soda out of your diet btw!
The stupid thing is that doesn’t apply to booze or sodas bought at gas stations. Makes zero sense to me!
The legislation is very seriously flawed. I can not believe that was approved. It is very one sided as you put it. It does not make since at all.
Fantastic writing here. Sadly too many people don’t understand the importance of a healthy diet. I fond a lot of people want killer abs and all they have to do is work out. They don’t understand that great abs are made in the kitchen… I don’t think I can leave an educated response to this topic, However, I will write this: I believe this was designed with the best intentions but it got out of control. Soda is not the culprit here. Isn’t it all refined sugary drinks? Maybe the New York legislature should have looked into education first.
Thanks Josh, glad you liked it. While pursuing my business degree I took classes on music, religion, science etc. maybe nutrition and health related courses could be a mandatory elective to take when pursuing any degree. Just a thought…. Thanks for the feedback and great points!
I think it’s good that the government are trying to encourage a healthy attitude towards food and drink, but is restricting people’s freedom to buy what they like the way to do it? I’m not sure.
Regardless, I really can’t imagine any scenario when I’d find the largest size now available to be insufficient – I don’t think I’ve ever consumed that much soda in one sitting in my life, I even struggle with the little 330ml cans we get over here!
Not that I think anyone should ban anything. This is all show anyway. BloomBaby is just looking for control points. Food Police Mind control. But if the man really cared about the health of his subjects he would broadcast not only the dangers of Sugar but of artifical sugars which are deadly. BloomBaby doesn’t care about you health he cares about his bottom line and power. He can’t run as a mayor again but he can as some very powerful government control monster anyway I digress
Here is the dangers of Artifical Sugars.
What you should know before using that Artificial Sweetener and Salt is Good for You.
By Joan McDaniel June 19, 2012
http://coconutcreamcare.com/2012/06/26/what-you-should-know-before-using-that-artificial-sweetener/
While I believe the intentions are good, I agree…there are other ways to approach the obesity factor in our nation. With this ban, I really believe that it’s government sticking its nose in where it doesn’t belong when they have other issues to deal with. How about some education? Or leading by example? Implement some city led exercise groups, running groups, seminars on a regular basis. Really, b/c I absolutely see people just buying a second or third drink AND another bag of popcorn…
Great suggestions on alternative methods to reduce the issue. This may be the start to a trend across multiple states. It will be very interesting to see what happens! Thanks for the feedback!
So, I can eat a Big Mac and Super Sized Fries, have a big bag of M&M’s for dessert, then wash it down with a 32 oz Big Gulp. Afterwards I can finish with a cigarette and a shot of Sambuca….but I can’t have 20 oz of soda. Bloomberg is a tyrant that should never have been allowed to run for Mayor again. He is a bully and doesn’t understand the first thing about nutrition. What he needs to do is to focus on educating people and work on improving the education system in NYC. Only then can we begin to fight obesity.
I have to ask now..without the larger sizes being sold…isn’t that a loss on sales tax which means less money for an already cash strapped city?? Great thinking mayor. It is sad that when he first ran for mayor I thought he was a great business man and voted for him. Boy do I regret that.
I agree completely. Some say that vendors may actually make more money because people will be forced to by another soda after the first one. It it was me I wouldn’t buy the first one at all anymore. Plus how will restaurants address the free refill policy?
What I love is that I work in a 5 star hotel in Manhattan. How can we tell someone that is paying 23k a night for our suite that they can’t have a 20oz bottle of soda. So many problems with this dumb law.
I believe that Bloomberg has control issues…I plan on boycotting NYC until he and his dictatorial leadership is out of office. I understand that we have an obesity issue, but it’s an individual right and choice. To believe that government can implement such a law is totally scary. The “it’s for your own good” logic could be applied to any of our freedoms…guns, food, entertainment, news…so, we best be careful treading into these waters. If the people of NYC take this, then I’m afraid we as a people are more sheep-like than I anticipated. Boo for Bloomberg! The next thing he wants to do is mandate breastfeeding for new mothers…as if new mothers don’t already have enough pressure on them. Not his business!
while i agree that people shouldn’t be drinking obscene amounts of sugar drinks, i think it should be their own decision, not the mayor’s. and, for mayor bloomberg, smoking/tobacco actually has been one of his pet issues as well. a pack in manhattan costs an arm and a leg because of all the taxes and they have a whole “NYC Quits” program available to help people kick the habit.
I am actually all for personal freedom. I should be able to choose to workout like a beast as much as I want, and someone should be able to choose to drink the hell out of some soda. If soda is illegal what about tobacco, what about alcohol?
Rather then make it illegal, the soda should be taxed at a higher rate to offset the public health costs.
We should legalize all drugs, in fact, redirect the money ear marked for the drug war to education, and tax the hell out of all of it.
Haha great point and suggestions. There are so many bigger issues that need to be addressed first.
JP, I agree with you 100% haha. There are so many other factors. Thanks for posting!
“Give a man a fish and he won’t starve for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he won’t starve for his entire life.” (author unknown)…- I think this same analogy can apply here in terms of limiting the amount someone can buy of something versus educating them on how to take care of their bodies through exercise and eating right.
Great quote! This is so true, all about education and information. People also have to have the will power to do the right thing.
Reblogged this on Small Steps 2 Health and commented:
I don’t think this is the answer, but interesting nonetheless.
Thanks for sharing on your blog!
No problem L-Jay. Love your blog. Keep it up!
I like the idea of having nutrition become a part of getting your college degree. What a great gen-ed requirement. =)
I agree that there are bigger fish to fry, but by the same token I don’t see it as a bad thing if it keeps an overabundance of sugar from people who need it the least, especially young children.
I totally agree that there are bigger issues then the size soda a person buys. Healthy eating needs to be encouraged and not shoved in someones face. If people can’t get their soda fix when they see a movie, what is going to stop them from purchasing a whole 2 liter on the way home?
I agree there are bigger issue but I still fully support it. Obesity is out of hand in America and every little bit helps. It also directly effects healthcare (in a good way), in the long run.
Wow. Just… Wow. Good to know our politicians are using their time, resources and money on the big, important issues of today… Wait. I realize that obesity IS one of the major issues in America today, but… this is not the way to help.
As an Australian who has visited America and experienced the MASSIVE size of your soft drink (soda) cups and the unlimited refills many places seem to offer, I think this decision can only be a step in the right direction.
Seriously, without wanting to offend anyone, the size of soda buckets (for they are buckets, not cups) in the US is ridiculous. If a public official is willing to take a stand for the betterment of the general health of people who might otherwise be unwilling or unable to do so themselves; good work I say.
Just my two cents. With respect, it surprises me that anyone interested in health would be writing against this move. (Though I respect that you are probably writing more from a freedom of choice perspective than to support 16oz soda buckets).
http://lovelyseasonscomeandgo.wordpress.com
Hi thank you so much for liking my post “my weight loss program” and following my blog. i am definately enjoying your blog as well. I think people should still have the freedom to decide what they think is best for them and the state should not interfere. I think smoking should be first on the list and they should tackle that first as you stated. So enjoy and have a great day. Betty
Not so sure that this does a lot for the obesity problem in and of itself, but it will help to raise awareness about what a “reasonable” serving size is. The fact that drink sizes have inflated to such an extent over the years calls for some type of action.
My thoughts: http://trokspot.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/big-gulps-huh-well-see-ya-later/
Thanks for sharing your blog!
I can understand that the legislators are responding to the concerns of the electorate in general, but you can’t legislate personal responsibility and accountability.
But creating this type of legislation you are taking away the right for people to think for themselves, and if this fails to solve the obesity issue then the ‘victims’ will then lay the blame on the government because they “are the reason I got fat.”
People will always look for an excuse to blame others as it is easier than acknowledging you have a problem.
We need to teach people to be responsible and accountable.
As with many of the other comments here, it’s hard to say if I fully agree or not. I feel that as Americans, we deserve the freedom that our country so proudly stands for. But at the same time, the health issues here are outrageous and I think that it’s time for the government to step in. For me, this crosses a political line. I do think we should be able to do what we want and THAT’S WHAT FREE REFILLS ARE FOR, but people are going to throw a fit.
Yes! People are going to throw a fit. I wonder how long this will last. It is good that government is trying to control the issue but people want to enjoy their freedom and have a nice beverage from time to time. Thanks for the awesome response!
I don’t like being told what to do/how to eat/etc, but I have to admit, soda is my one vice! I eat pretty darn healthy otherwise, but can’t seem to break the soda habit.
Although I am a firm believer in freedom of choice, I do believe that the things that are coming to light about sugar and the staggering number of health problems coming to light that arise from it bring it into the same category as tobacco.
I live in a country with universal health care, and if people are overwhelmingly making choices that suck tax dollars out of my pocket into the health care system, then I guess the state has to regulate these things. All of North America will soon be facing a reduction in life expectancy arising out of the excess consumption of things like soda. These are issues that need to be tackled somehow.
In addition, consumers view the advertising of gigantic companies telling them to eat this stuff all the time, and whether or not we think that they should have the sense to ignore the advertising, well, they are NOT ignoring it. They buy into the images, the marketing, etc., and then they become diabetic and obese and develop heart disease and more.
It’s all well and good to believe in free choice, but the obesity epidemic costs everyone financially, and it costs a lot of people a lot of years of life lost as well. This cost is too big.
You are so right! It does cost everyone money in the long run especially with rising health care cost and taxes paid to pay for those who can’t afford. Hopefully this issue will be resolved sonner than later. We can all help but educating people around us little by little! Thanks again for the response!
When it comes to portion control we are so use seeing small portions aa a rip off…I won’t be surprised if someone fights this case. I’m not going to lie on rate occasion I will eat fast food but I stick to the kids size menu. Enough to satisfy my cravings without taking in all the calories. 🙂
interesting that mayor bloomberg mentioned that it was a ‘personal issue’ with him. if he’s that passionate about it then leading the cause for change would seem a much more productive road rather than limiting personal freedoms.
I am not sure this will help solve the obesity problem. Maybe a better solution would be to reduce portion sizes in restaurants? A lot of people used to be rewarded for finishing their plate as kids and they’re trying to do the same as adults without realizing that the portions in most restaurants contain multiple serving sizes!
We have too much government in our lives now. It has no business telling us how much soda we can drink. This is ironic as I wouldn’t drink 16 ounces of the stuff if you had a gun to my head. But, you should have the right to buy it and drink it if you want to.