New York Soda Ban: No More Large Sodas at Movie Theaters or Concession Stands?

On Thursday, the New York City Health Board in an 8-0 vote, with one abstention, to approve Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal of banning sugared beverages 16. Oz or larger to be sold at any type of eatery that receives a grade for food service.  

This means that the large sized drinks popular at movie theaters and concession stands will no longer be sold in the city of New York. Drinks of 16.oz or larger will no longer be available in restaurants, eateries or fast-food joints. The ban will not apply to bottled drinks sold in markets or stores. It also will not include diet drinks, fruit juices, alcoholic or dairy drinks.

The measure was proposed by Bloomberg in May in an effort to combat rising levels of obesity. "New York is not about wring your hands; it's about doing something. I think that's what the public wants the mayor to do," said the Mayor to the New York Times.

 Shortly after the vote, Bloomberg's official Twitter released a statement saying: "NYC's new sugary drink policy is the single biggest step any gov't has taken to curb (hash) obesity. It will help save lives," @MikeBloomberg.

The bill recently gained the endorsement of a number of weight loss brands including Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, The South Beach Diet and The Best Life. Agatston of South Beach Diet, Dana Fisher of Jenny Craig and Dave Burwick of Weight Watchers have all voiced strong support for the Mayor's proposal.

Burwick told New York AM, "We hope that more mayors and health department follows New York City's example to promote a healthy environment."

But not everyone thinks Bloomberg's plan is noble. Naturally restaurant owners and others in the food business are not happy with the new legislation, but also many New Yorkers are calling the new law an unprecedented interference of the government in civilian life.

The American Soft-Drink industry has campaigned hard against the Mayor's bill that would ban the sale of large-sized sugared drinks. The industry gathered signatures from civilians and related companies in a campaign against the bill, but their efforts have failed.  

The bill is the first of its kind and if passed, will be in effect from March 2013.

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