No More "Pop" for the Kids, says New York Mayor Bloomberg

IN New York City next month, a ban is set to start on the sale of extra-large servings of sugary soft drinks in restaurants and movie theatres.

The city approved the ban late last year and they did it to help fight the problem of obesity in the city.

It was proposed by New York City’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, and approved by the New York City Board of Health in September 2012.

Under the new rule, businesses that have food-service licences – such as restaurants, theatres, delis, fast-food places, hot dog stands and sports stadiums – would not be allowed to sell what Americans  call  "pop" - fizzy soft drinks -  in containers larger than 500 ml.

People would still be able to buy supersized drinks at convenience stores, vending machines and some newsstands.

The rule would not apply to fruit juices, diet pop, alcoholic beverages or dairy-based products like milkshakes or coffee drinks.

Mayor Bloomberg says he believes the new rule will help save lives. More than half of all adults in New York City are obese or overweight, according to the city’s health department. Obesity can lead to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol. Studies have shown a strong link between drinking sugary drinks and obesity.

In January, the American Beverage Association went to court to stop the ban. The association represents companies like Coca Cola and PepsiCo, which make soft drinks.

They say the ban restricts personal freedom of choice for consumers. They also argue that it will have a bad impact on many small businesses, because customers will go to stores that are allowed to sell large drinks.

"More than half of all adults in New York City are obese or overweight, according to the city’s health department"

Other groups have joined with the beverage association to fight the ban, including the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), which represents African Americans, and the Hispanic Federation, which represents Spanish-speaking residents in the northeastern United States. They say the ban will be especially hard on the minority groups they represent.

These groups say that many small restaurants and delis in New York are owned by African-American or Hispanic people. They argue that if customers can’t buy large soft drinks at these places, they will go to convenience stores owned by big companies like 7-11, where they can still buy supersized drinks.

The mayor argues everyone will benefit from the ban.

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