Shrinking Soda Sizes
Natalie Strunk
Obesity is an escalating issue in today’s society and is even more prominent in New York City. According to New York City Community Health Survey “Fifty-eight percent of adults are overweight or obese” (“NYC He”). New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg noticed this growing problem and wanted to make a change. The extreme prevalence of obesity in New York has led to an increase in health problems associated with obesity like diabetes and high blood pressure. Costs arise from treatment services as well as morbidity costs of obestiy. In 2008, the total medical care cost of obesity in the United States was approximately 147 billions dollars (Sullum). Bloomberg knew positive action must be taken to combat the financial burden placed upon all Americans by the health problems linked to obesity. To reduce these costs, The New York City Board of Health in conjunction with Mayor Bloomberg recently approved a ban prohibiting the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks (Fickenscher). Bloomberg’s banning of large sodas has received both positive and negative support on its restrictions. Some groups of people believe the ban is an outright infringement of consumer rights while others believe that it is a necessary step for the government to take in order to help improve the lives of its citizens.
Bloomberg’s soda ban will go into effect March 12, 2013 and will effect drinks sold at movie theaters, restaurants, sports arenas and street carts (Zmuda). Large drinks will be targeted which have been designated as any container that holds more than sixteen ounces (Fickenscher). Along with soda, the ban prohibits the sale of large energy drinks and sweet teas but excludes alcohol, juices, dairy-based drinks and any drinks with less than twenty-five calories per eight-ounce servings (Zmuda). With these parameters, most diet sodas would be excluded from the ban. The sixteen-ounce restriction will prevent the sale of the average medium size soda beverages at locations included in the ban. Mayor Bloomberg believes that the soda ban is the first step in reducing the obesity epidemic. He believes that the ban will lead to a reduction in New York City’s skyrocketing obesity rates. Bloomberg’s idea is that by making the normal drink size smaller people will realize the amount of drink they are actually consuming. In an interview with MSNBC, Bloomberg said “We’re simply forcing you to understand that you have to make the conscious decisions to go from one cup to another cup” (Zmuda). It is Bloomberg’s hope that New York City residents are making conscious health choices. He wants his residents to be able to make healthy choices and understand that their choices, healthy or not, have consequences. Efforts to simply inform New Yorkers of the issue have failed so Bloomberg believes a ban is what is needed for change. Bloomberg thinks that the soda ban is a step in the right direction toward reducing the obesity rates by helping people to make the right, healthy choice. Interview with Michael Bloomberg & his thoughts on the ban. Many companies and agencies in the food industry are against the ban and cite flaws with Bloomberg’s strategy to reduce obesity rates. Opponents of the soda ban see it as a restriction on consumer choices. The American Beverage Association and the National Restaurant Association both have stated that they are “exploring legal options as a means of combating the ban” (Zmuda). These associations believe that the ban is highly flawed in the fact that consumers will be able to refill their small drink multiple times adding up to the same amount of soda consumed when ordering a drink larger than the sixteen-ounce limit. A Spokesperson from Dunkin’ Donuts stated that the ban was “not in the public’s interest and not an appropriate or ideal solution for curbing obesity in New York City” (NYC He). The agencies think that Bloomberg and the Board of Health are restricting the freedom and rights of citizens to choose what and how much they are drinking. Several of New York’s lawmakers expressed unease about the ban saying “the government should not take an overly intrusive role in personal decisions” (Grynbaum). These groups believe that a consumer should be in control of what they are buying and that this ban restricts that freedom and therefore should not be allowed to go into effect. American Beverage Association's Views on the Ban |
Some agencies see the direction that Bloomberg’s ban is taking and believe that it is a positive movement. They see the ban as a way to increase consumer choices because in some locations the purchase of a drink less than sixteen-ounces is unavailable. Thomas Farley New York City’s Health Commissioner said “We see this as an increase in choice options in healthier sizes” (NYC He). The ban will increase the locations that smaller drinks can be purchased and increase the choices and options for consumers. Portion-size studies have been conducted and suggest that when the default portion size is decreased, people will consume less calories (Farley 1093). It is the hope of these agencies along with Bloomberg that this decrease in caloric consumption from soda will hopefully lead to a loss of weight and eventually lower rate of obesity in New York City. Those against the ban believe that it will be pointless because consumers can get refills but Kelley Brownwell director of Yale University’s Center for Food Policy and Obesity said, “the ban is not going to capture every possible variation, but enough of the sugar beverages will be affected that it should have a very possible public-health impact.” (Zmuda). The government already has a hand in health inspections on restaurants and although the idea of regulating portion sizes is a new idea, many think it is a justifiable action that doesn’t hinder citizens rights or freedoms. Mary Bassett Associate Editor of the American Journal of Public Health believes that it is time for the government to step in. She argues that the “government possesses the tools that we as individuals lack: it can regulate, legislate and tax. It can set standards and enforce policies that individuals cannot do on their own” (Bassett 1624). These agencies stand behind Bloomberg and his actions to help to improve the health of New Yorkers.
New York City residents hold strong opinions on both sides of the ban. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, “600 letter opposing the ban and 15,545 letters expressing support for it were submitted to the agency as of July 20” (Sullum) A large amount of New York City residents are very much in favor of the ban. They believe that the government needs to step in to help the growing obesity crisis in the city or it will only get worse. These residents hope that Bloomberg’s ban will change people’s view on what is a normal size. New Yorkers want change in their city even if it does require the government reaching their hands into their drink choices. Most residents that oppose the ban believe that it is restricting their choices as a consumer. They believe that it is their right to drink any size of soda. Many residents who oppose the ban want the government to stay out of consumer choices and do nothing about obesity rates. Some residents want to know “the regulatory and legal foundation that is allowing them to propose this ban” (Grynbaum). Consumers are upset with the government reaching into their everyday lives and taking away the right to choose a drink larger than sixteen ounces. New Yorkers For Beverage Choices Website Bloomberg’s soda ban has caused controversy and uproar between many groups of people in New York City as well as across the nation. Some people believe that the ban is a restriction of the freedom and rights of the consumer and businesses involved. Others believe that this ban is exactly what is needed to help New York City become a healthier society. I personally have mixed opinions on the matter. Part of me agrees that the government should stay out of consumer actions while another part believes that it is time for the government to help those that don’t know how to help themselves. The government already sets regulations about temperature and quality in the food industry and the ban would just be another to add to the list to help with the health and safety of consumers. If this ban has positive results, I believe that it has the potential to spread throughout the country. If a drop in obesity rates in seen in New York City, other government officials might also try to bring this ban to their area. If this ban reaches the whole country it has the potential to lower the national obesity rate. The soda ban is on the border of two sides and uproar has been heard from both. Although some people see this ban as an infringement of consumer rights, others see it as a measure to help prevent health risks and cost. Regardless of the side one takes on the ban, Bloomberg is hoping that losing the ounces helps New Yorker lose the pounds. |