Montgomery Health Officials to Closely Monitor NYC Soda Ban
The mayor of New York proposed a prohibition on sugary drinks larger than 16 fluid ounces.
In an effort to curtail unhealthy drinking habits, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a ban on large-size sugary drinks at restaurants, street vendors and movie theaters last week.
Could a similar measure make its way to Montgomery County?
"We are not thinking about it," said Dr. Ulder Tillman, health officer for the county.
"We plan to observe the experience in New York to see how that goes, so we'll be monitoring that closely."
Tillman said limits on the size and concentration of sugary drinks are already in place in county public schools. Students are also not allowed to use vending machines during the school day.
In New York, Bloomberg wants to limit the sale of any cup or bottle of sweetened drink larger than 16 fluid ounces. Diet drinks, dairy drinks, fruit juices, coffee drinks and alcoholic beverages would not be affected. Sugary drinks would still be sold in grocery stores.
Bloomberg's proposal is likely to be approved and could take effect as early as March, according to the Times.
Tillman chairs the Healthy Montgomery steering committee, a community health improvement project. The committee is organizing two work groups to focus on obesity and behavioral health.
Tell us what you think: Will a soda ban make Montgomery County healthier?
Naynay Vieira
2:09 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thomas Jefferson would be extremely depressed if he came back from the dead to witness how big of a nanny/police state we are becoming. A person should have his freedom to do whatever they want concerning personal habits. Following Bloomberg's and Lady O's thought, there must also be a ban on beer, wine, fast food restaurants, bakeries, ice cream/deserts stores as well. This idea is totally un-American.
Eric S.
3:37 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Oh for f**ks sake! This is where I draw the line.
-- Smoking ban - Fine, this does in fact affect other people's rights.
-- Bag tax - Arguably favorable for the environment, i.e. society as a whole and individual property. Controversial, but it makes some sense.
-- Trans fats - I have caveats on this, namely in that it's a partially federally caused problem (soybeans are subsidized, and get used in all sorts of crap) and if you're eating fatty food, it's on you. That said, trans fats are worse than usual fat, and are kind of a hidden danger sort of issue.
I consider it a truth in advertising issue, and not too different from health regulations. I can let this one go because it's worse than "Hey fat is bad". This particular type of fat is really bad, and is all over.
Soda ban -- No, seriously, no. Yes, HFCS is incredibly bad for you and is certainly caused by Federal agricultural policy (look up sugar tariffs). Something absolutely should be done about it. That said, I find this different than the trans fat thing, as you have a little more control over it.
If you didn't want trans fats, you basically had to limit yourself to very specific locations, avoid anything cooked with any sort of fat at all because you didn't know, or never eat out. But soda? Much easier to avoid, and only the tip of the HFCS iceberg anyway.
If you really want to be useful, ban only HFCS drinks and ship in some Mexican Coke already.
Diane
9:48 am on Friday, June 8, 2012
I agree with a smoking ban-that I understand-I don't need to breather in YOUR smoke but soda?? Enough government regulation and foolishness! Regulate something bigger than an oversized soda for God's sake! Step away Uncle Sam!!!!