No More Super Sizing in NYC...

[Guest G23FM]

CBS/AP) NEW YORK - New York City's Board of Health has passed a rule banning super-sized, sugary drinks at restaurants, concession stands and other eateries.

The regulation passed Thursday puts a 16-ounce size limit on cups and bottles of non-diet soda, sweetened teas and other calorie-packed beverages beginning in March, 2013.

CBS New York reported the vote was approved Thursday with eight in favor and one in abstention.

The ban will apply in restaurants, fast-food chains, movie and Broadway theaters, workplace cafeterias and most other places selling prepared food that fall under the Board of Health's regulation. People who buy sugary drinks at such establishments will still have an option to purchase an additional beverage.

NYC Board of Health to vote today on Mayor Bloomberg's big soda ban

New York City's proposed ban on big sodas

Exempt from the ban are sugary drinks sold at supermarkets or most convenience stores and alcohol and dairy-based beverages sold at New York City eateries.

City health officials say the ban is necessary to combat a deadly obesity epidemic.

The restaurant and beverage industries have assailed the plan as misguided. They say the city's health experts are exaggerating the role sugary beverages have played in making Americans fat.

"It's sad that the board wants to limit our choices," Liz Berman, business owner and chairwoman of New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, said in an emailed statement. "We are smart enough to make our own decisions about what to eat and drink."

Some medical professionals applauded the ban.

"For the past several years, I've seen the number of children and adults struggling with obesity skyrocket, putting them at early risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer," Dr. Steven Safyer, President and CEO of Montefiore Medical Center, said in an emailed statement. "This policy is a great step in the battle to turn this health crisis around."

Nutritionist Karen Congro, director of the Wellness for Life Program at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, told CBSNews.com, "There are pockets of the population who have no idea what a proper serving size is, so this will help reign them in." However she added without educating New Yorkers about obesity risks, the ban may not be as effective as officials hope, given people will still be able to buy sugary drinks such as Big Gulps at 7-11 convenience stores.

"Unless they get the educational portion along with it, they won't understand why it's being a banned and how it relates to them personally," Congro said.

Some New Yorkers have ridiculed the rule as a gross government intrusion.

"This is not the end," Eliot Hoff, spokesman for New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, said in a statement. "We are exploring legal options, and all other avenues available to us. We will continue to voice our opposition to this ban and fight for the right of New Yorkers to make their own choices."

WOW.

[Guest nysos]

Wasted time and money. This won't put a dent in obesity, the problem lies in the person - not in what they are able to buy from a store or fast food eatery.

[piercedan]

This doesn't really strike me as anything to do with obesity. More so selling more drinks because you get less per cup.

[daddyo]

Oh yeah, like this will really make a difference.

[Guest mcgyver210]

NYC is a Communist Dictatorship.

The only way to combat obesity is for the obese people to atart caring about what & how much they eat. All this will do is make them spend more money for their drinks.

I don't even drink cokes etc but I still say it is unfair & one more step to destroy Freedom in America or what is left of Freedom.

[Guest MilitiaMan]

TN should adopt something similar. I pick my 5 yr old up from school and see a good portion of her schoolmates (preK through 5th). There are too many kids in here school alone that are 50-100 lbs overweight. I've never seen a playground full of kids who just stand there or sit in the shade because they are so too fat/lazy to move, run and play. Pretty disgusting and sad, to think these kids have a very poor future infront of them. Watching morbidly obese parents pick up their morbidly obese kids is another disgusting thing.

[MiddTennTaco]

I find this interesting simply due to the fact that on average most people don't get enough liquids during the day. I wonder what will happen if someone dies of dehyration. Thats some serious liability! Amazing!

Sent from my HTC Inspire using Tapatalk 2

[Garufa]

TN should adopt something similar. I pick my 5 yr old up from school and see a good portion of her schoolmates (preK through 5th). There are too many kids in here school alone that are 50-100 lbs overweight. I've never seen a playground full of kids who just stand there or sit in the shade because they are so too fat/lazy to move, run and play. Pretty disgusting and sad, to think these kids have a very poor future infront of them. Watching morbidly obese parents pick up their morbidly obese kids is another disgusting thing.

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.

[Guest mcgyver210]

TN should adopt something similar. I pick my 5 yr old up from school and see a good portion of her schoolmates (preK through 5th). There are too many kids in here school alone that are 50-100 lbs overweight. I've never seen a playground full of kids who just stand there or sit in the shade because they are so too fat/lazy to move, run and play. Pretty disgusting and sad, to think these kids have a very poor future infront of them. Watching morbidly obese parents pick up their morbidly obese kids is another disgusting thing.

I find it interesting that people want more Government Controls which just allows them to next say when & what we are aloud to eat. When are people & parents going to take responsibility for their actions & quit thinking the Government can fix it with more draconian controls?

Government will not & can not fix a persons bad habits with laws & rules. People that wish to Smoke, Take Drugs, Drink Alcohol, Eat/Drink Un-Healthy etc etc......will do it no matter what the Government says.

[Spots]

TN should adopt something similar. I pick my 5 yr old up from school and see a good portion of her schoolmates (preK through 5th). There are too many kids in here school alone that are 50-100 lbs overweight. I've never seen a playground full of kids who just stand there or sit in the shade because they are so too fat/lazy to move, run and play. Pretty disgusting and sad, to think these kids have a very poor future infront of them. Watching morbidly obese parents pick up their morbidly obese kids is another disgusting thing.

Just remember, stuff like this is taking away OUR personal freedoms. Even if you don't drink soda, its still your choice to do so. This does nothing but erode our personal freedoms. Just remember:

"First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. "

Its just like anti-smoking legislation, or anything else. Just because your not a smoker, doesn't mean you should not support their rights. If they will limit the amount of soda, whats the difference in limiting the amount of soda I buy, and the amount of ammunition I buy. Don't say it won't happen, because stuff like this proves that legislation controlling amounts of anything can be passed.

[piercedan]

... If they will limit the amount of soda, whats the difference in limiting the amount of soda I buy, and the amount of ammunition I buy. Don't say it won't happen, because stuff like this proves that legislation controlling amounts of anything can be passed.

That helps illustrate what I believe is the true purpose here. They are not limiting how much you buy, they are charging more because you have to come back for another cup sooner. It is about money in my opinion.

[piercedan]

To use the ammunition analogy, it would be like limiting bulk purchases and only allowing 20 count boxes. That way, each box gets a 10 cent tax stamp instead of 200 count getting a stamp. Instead of 10 cents, they get $1.00.

[daddyo]

TN should adopt something similar. I pick my 5 yr old up from school and see a good portion of her schoolmates (preK through 5th). There are too many kids in here school alone that are 50-100 lbs overweight. I've never seen a playground full of kids who just stand there or sit in the shade because they are so too fat/lazy to move, run and play. Pretty disgusting and sad, to think these kids have a very poor future infront of them. Watching morbidly obese parents pick up their morbidly obese kids is another disgusting thing.

Please enlighten us as to how government regulation on soft drinks will make fat, lazy Americans less obese. I'll wait.

[piercedan]

Please enlighten us as to how government regulation on soft drinks will make fat, lazy Americans less obese. I'll wait.

Maybe he was just trolling.

[Volzfan]

NYC has been out of control for a long time and this is just another step across the line.

[Jonnin]

I am sure the 0.00000001 calories burnt while getting refills will make a huge difference in the problem. Good job NY.

[TMF]

I hate seeing fat kids whose parents stuff them full of fat foods and set the course for a fat, lazy lifestyle which will most likely end in an obesity related death at a relatively young age. I hate it. However, I'll be damned if the government is going to step in and tell me what I can or can't drink. Just rediculous. If a parent is killing their kid, then charge them with child abuse or something. Limiting sodas and trans fats is just so incredibly over the line. Fat people can be as jolly as they damn want. If all that good food and sitting around relaxing makes life worth it to you, then more power fella.

Once again, New Yorkers deserve the government they elect. The problem is Bloomberg wants this to happen everywhere.

[strickj]

Seems we're legislating vanity now? fat italians live longer than thin americans, yanno.

Kiss my fat ass, Govna.

[daddyo]

It's incredible to me that the government indoctrination centers do away with programs like phys ed, then they're surprised when the kids become fat due to lack of exercise. To them, the logical next step is to limit their sugar intake.

This has everything to do with continued expansion of government. Un-freakin-believable.

[ttocswob]

I will give up my Big Gulp when they peel my cold, dead fingers from around it...oh, wait

[JGunner]

I find it interesting that the article calls it a "rule" banning the drinks ....

What force of law does this "rule" carry? Do restaurants have to follow this rule or will it be up to the owner? It is just a rule after all, not a law.

Anyway, the whole thing is ridiculous ... What's next? Are they going to try to regulate how much air we're allowed to breath each day?

[Jonnin]

Just once I want to see some businesses show some teeth. I swear if I ran McDonalds for example I would shut down every franchise there the day this passed. Bluff or not, it would get some attention when I cut loose some few thousand employees and made it difficult for anyone to get lunch. If all the major chains worked together on that, it would be ..... a lesson of epic dimensions.

[Garufa]

Just once I want to see some businesses show some teeth. I swear if I ran McDonalds for example I would shut down every franchise there the day this passed. Bluff or not, it would get some attention when I cut loose some few thousand employees and made it difficult for anyone to get lunch. If all the major chains worked together on that, it would be ..... a lesson of epic dimensions.

McDonald's and other such businesses are likely to see an increase in profits from this by selling more drinks.

[jtmaze]

If I where big business I would sell the second drink at the cost of the cup. and offer free refills. Then send the stats to idiot that due to his policy I have dispensed 50% more soda with same revenue and am going to have to lay off employees in his city to cover the costs.

[JGunner]

McDonald's and other such businesses are likely to see an increase in profits from this by selling more drinks.

That's what I was thinking too ... no more free refills or large drinks ... but you're free to sell as many 16oz drinks as you want.

Perhaps even a price increase too ... since a 16oz is now a large