In less than two weeks, the New York City "soda ban" will go into effect thus prohibiting the sale of sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 oz within restaurants, food carts, concession stands, and other sources of fast food. The ban will take effect on March 12, while violators will face a fine starting in June.
The infamous "soda ban" as the law has been dubbed, was pushed by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg in an effort to combat the City's obesity epidemic in children and adults. However, the law's loopholes allows for large sodas to be sold in enterprises under the oversight of New York State's Department of Agriculture. That means the ban will not affect convenient stores, gas stations and supermarkets which are under the state law.
To counteract this loophole, Bloomberg has proposed that the entire state of New York implement his soda ban. At a news conference in Brooklyn, Bloomberg was asked if movie theaters, bowling alleys, nightclubs, and restaurants should have the same freedom to sell soft drinks as supermarkets.
"The state should do exactly the same thing in stores," Bloomberg said in response.
"We're not banning anything, other than saying you have to serve it in portions of 16 ounces or less," said the mayor. "We're just trying to encourage you and educate you that this is probably not the greatest thing for you, and all of the research done shows that portion control really does work."
He continued, "Kids, once they get obese, they will be obese as adults. And this year, for the first time in the world, in the history of humanity, more people will die from overeating than from under-eating."
According to the New York Post, NY Governor Cuomo is putting together a response to Mr. Bloomberg call for more soda regulation.
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