New York mayor seeks ban on sale of big sugary drinks
Reuters – 12 hrs ago

A document outlining the proposal said it was aimed at fighting an epidemic of obesity, citing public health statistics showing that 58 percent of New York City adults and nearly 40 percent of city public school students are obese or overweight.

The proposal defines sugary drinks as beverages that are "sweetened with sugar or another caloric sweetener that contain more than 25 calories per 8 fluid ounces and contains less than 51 percent milk or milk substitute by volume as an ingredient."

[Related: Obese boy returned to home after losing weight]

It would impact drinks sold in containers larger than 16 ounces, but would not impact the sale of diet soda or dairy-based drinks. This is another way that government involvement in our personal lives is not needed or wanted. Instead of being able to buy any beverage larger than 16 ounces people may just buy three eight ounce drinks and possibly end up consuming more sugar. W will show you Mr. Mayor.

Story time: What next Bloomberg, are you going to make a two drink limit? (will a punch card be issued?) I can see it now. I go to the movies and get the 16 ounce drink because legally that's all I can buy. I drink it all but somehow seem unsatisfied. (just like government seem unsatisfied and needs to get bigger each year. They should be placed on a diet too.)

My palate requires 24 ounces of soda but since I have consumed my legal 16 ounce drink, I A) must buy an eight ounce drink to go with the 16 ounce one or B) I get a free re-fill for another 16 ounces (UNLESS THAT IS BANNED TOO). Hmmm, tough one. I am going for the re-fill even if I have to slip the guard a two spot. Thanks Bloom Baby now I drank 32 ounces of soda when I usually would have only consumed 24 ounces. Gotta love that government control. It will show us, huh?

Americans consume 200 to 300 more calories every day than they did 30 years ago, according to the Bloomberg administration's analysis. Is it all in drinks?

Bloomberg has used the power of the city government to promote other health measures, including a campaign to cut down on salt and a ban on trans fats in restaurant food, as well as a requirement that chain restaurants display calorie counts. This one is okay. I think you should be able to know how many calories you are eating. It helps a consumer make better choices. Kudos to the government for this one.

[Related: Ga. childhood obesity campaign too harsh?]

In 2003, the city banned smoking in bars and restaurants, generating howls of protest at the time from smokers and non-smokers who saw it as a case of government creeping into private lives, but the law has since become widely accepted. This is different because everyone had to breathe the smoke whether they liked it or not, whether they smoked or not. I can't be physically affected by you drinking a sugary drink, only you can. Smoke affects all the people in the surrounding area.

Bloomberg, a political independent, is in the middle of his third four-year term as New York City mayor.

The response to Bloomberg's public health initiatives have been mixed. Earlier this month, a Quinnipiac University poll found that 45 percent of New York voters thought the government should discourage unhealthy eating and drinking habits, while 48 percent said the government shouldn't get involved.

Still, many of those initiatives, including the smoking ban, have become models for other cities. Here we go again with the smoking. It's different than the above aforementioned. Do you feel maybe Bloomberg approved this article?

The proposed ban on sugary drinks requires the approval of the city's Board of Health. It will be submitted to the board on June 12. I wonder how many of them are over weight? I would like to see a picture of them.

In a statement, a spokesman for the New York City Beverage Association challenged Bloomberg's assertion that the consumption of soda was driving obesity rates.

"It's time for serious health professionals to move on and seek solutions that are going to actually curb obesity," said spokesman Stefan Friedman. "These zealous proposals just distract from the hard work that needs to be done on this front."

(Reporting by Edith Honan and Steve Gorman; Editing by Cynthia Johnston and Eric Beech)

Leon, for freedom of choice

Live long, drink soda in moderation before Bloomberg bans it all together.

P.S. Coke and Pepsi executives just send me a check in the mail.