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Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposes a sweeping ban in New York City on large-sized sugary drinks at...

  • Thursday, May 31, 2012, 11:18 AM ET
    Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposes a sweeping ban in New York City on large-sized sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters, and from street vendors in one of the most ambitious local measures to take on obesity. If passed, the new law would prohibit the sale of sodas, pre-sweetened ice teas, and sugar-laced energy drinks larger than 16 ounces. In somewhat twisted logic, New Yorkers could still buy two 16-ounce drinks - instead of one 32-ouncer. On the mayor's radar: DPS, KO, PEP, MNST, COT.
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This news story has 38 comments:

  •  
    Smiley-face fascism marches onward.
    31 May 2012, 11:19 AM Reply Like
  •  
    I agree, but those who don't give a crap about their health and keep raising my insurance premiums must pay in some way.
    31 May 2012, 11:24 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Stop paying for their health care.
    31 May 2012, 11:29 AM Reply Like
  •  
    You miss the point... why is it that people "don't give a damn"? It's called the nanny state. You want fairness in your insurance premiums? Please, life is not fair, and it is certainly not the government's job to make everything fair, despite what Obama says.
    31 May 2012, 11:30 AM Reply Like
  •  
    You used to have a premium attached to your health care insurance costs if you smoked. There is no reason, given the automation involved in health care records that an insurance company can't rate your premium based on your lifestyle today. If you are obese, then you pay a higher premium. If you smoke, you pay a higher premium.

    I drink "sugary" drinks. I also run 25 miles a week and lift weights and eat reasonably. So if I want a 32 ouncer at lunch, I'll get one, or I'll buy a Soda Stream and put it in my office or home.....

    Goodness.....where would we be without the Nanny State?
    31 May 2012, 11:49 AM Reply Like
  •  
    By making them hold a 16 oz drink in ea. hand instead of a 32 oz drink in one hand?
    31 May 2012, 11:56 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Anyone who works out (except for the fanatic) knows the importance of cheat meals. Whether I like it or not, I have no control over paying for the healthcare of the shameless or uninsured. Our system - though private - is still based on socialist axioms, that is the premise of insurance. Free market would be pay as you go.
    31 May 2012, 01:08 PM Reply Like
  •  
    This man is truly unbelievable. Tin horn petty dictator. Don't just vote him out take him out on a rail. I can understand the concern about sugar. Valid. However, its not government's role to tell me what I can and can't eat. Although, I do not even drink any of these items I will intentionally carry oversize sugar drinks with me as I walk around NYC. What a joke this is. Sorry but this gets my dander up.
    31 May 2012, 11:25 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Saratogahawk....let me know when you are going and I'll send you a 64 ounce mug. Fill it in the morning and it's good for all day.
    31 May 2012, 11:49 AM Reply Like
  •  
    WMARKW, love your comment.
    31 May 2012, 12:12 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Do Slurpees count? Those always come in at a minimum 64oz variety.
    31 May 2012, 12:41 PM Reply Like
  •  
    I would argue that the government DOES have the right to tell people what they can and can't eat or drink in one specific situation.... those on food stamps. If the government is providing your nutrition for you, you should only be allowed to purchase healthy items. It angers me when I see people in line with nothing but garbage and paying for it with tax dollars, knowing full well they are also putting a drain on the taxpayer because of healthcare. If people on food stamps want to complain about it, take away their benefit.
    31 May 2012, 12:51 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Unpredictable undesirable consequences on the way!

    Added weight = calories in - calories out.

    How about banning movies and gaming consoles, things that keep people on their asses?

    Much ado about diets and dieting but the other half of the equation is seldom addressed and that's the exercising part.

    Don't the Amish (for example) have a diet high in calories and fat and refined sugar but also have a lower obesity rate? Miles of walking does the body good!
    31 May 2012, 11:26 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Bloomberg is the ugly face of liberal facism.
    31 May 2012, 11:29 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Please God, please get the government OUT OF MY BUSINESS!!! We're supposed to be entitled to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit. . ." Why can't they ALL get it?????

    If I want sugar in my drink and want a gallon of it, what's the big deal? I'll bet you a dollar to a hole in a donut that there's some kind of a tax take in it for NYC with this proposal? What do you think????
    31 May 2012, 11:30 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Per Michael Savage: "LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL DISORDER" !!!
    31 May 2012, 11:50 AM Reply Like
  •  
    I guess this well thought out logic could be applied to other un-healthful habits too: Cigarette vender's could only sell cigs by the single pack (no more cartons), liquor stores can only sell the mini-bottles and Oxycontin dealers can only sell one pill at a time...
    31 May 2012, 11:32 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Rebellion against Big Brother is in the air....
    31 May 2012, 11:38 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Yes.....hopefully the Tea Party will kick some but this coming election.
    31 May 2012, 11:51 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Oops. Butt not But
    31 May 2012, 12:27 PM Reply Like
  •  
    I'm sure many vendors will simply give away 32 oz cups with the purchase of two 16 oz beverages! Smart capatalists almost always find a way around dumb polliticians.
    31 May 2012, 11:47 AM Reply Like
  •  
    A friend told me last week he could be disabled and draw $1,258 month goverment payment if he gained 25 more pounds.
    31 May 2012, 11:53 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Do we really need government regulating what size our drinks are?!? If citizens of NYC allow this to happen then we are in trouble...
    31 May 2012, 11:56 AM Reply Like
  •  
    To OptionManic: Do you expect your insurance premiums to not continue increasing?????
    31 May 2012, 11:57 AM Reply Like
  •  
    As long as those around me continue on the way to obesity - I have no control.
    31 May 2012, 01:10 PM Reply Like
  •  
    More overweight/sick Americans equal more goverment spending, but who will pay for it?
    31 May 2012, 12:03 PM Reply Like
  •  
    America is currently the 3rd fattest country in the world. not saying this is the right approach but something has to be done. the number of obese and diabetic people under 12 years old is growing at an alarming rate. if this is not reversed this generation will face a life fad diets, more expensive medical care and decreaed life expectancies. at least is trying to put forth a solution. banning cigarettes in bars about 10 years ago was also very controversial, but IMO one of the best things he did as Mayor. I was living in NYC at the time and it would great to be able to come home from a bar not wreaking of smoke and needing to take a shower. it's time to start making some serious changes within this country with respect to cheap, subsidized calories and the amount being burned. calories in vs. calories where I think the second part of this equation also need to be addressed.
    31 May 2012, 12:04 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Lol, something has to be done? What about taking care of yourself, taking responsibility for your decisions. Those decisions about lifestyle, about having kids, about dropping out, about doing drugs, etc., etc., etc. The more the government intervenes, the less people will be accountable for their actions.
    31 May 2012, 12:43 PM Reply Like
  •  
    I can take care of myself, yet pay for those around me who do not. But yes, that doesn't give the gov't the right to intervene, that is jus the way life goes.
    31 May 2012, 01:11 PM Reply Like
  •  
    More Big Government lunacy, I can't have a 20 oz. Coke but I can get a half-gallon of Vodka. To proclaim because I drink a 20 oz. drink I am headed for obesity is a thesis that can't be proven. I drink a 20 oz, Coke everyday and I challenge the mayor to race any time he wants.

    What is happening to the United States of America!
    31 May 2012, 12:13 PM Reply Like
  •  
    I just sent Mayor Bloomberg's office an email comment thru the website telling them I will intentionally non-comply. I don't even drink these drinks but this is about my Constitutional rights and they can rip those out of my cold dead hands.
    31 May 2012, 12:13 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Simple Solution: Bloomberg needs to go.
    31 May 2012, 12:18 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Why not ban large ice creams, pies, candy bars. This whole thing is
    just stupid, and I think they are simply picking on the biggest targets.
    A Banana Split has a lot more calories, why aren't they shutting down
    Baskin-Robbins. Too much government.
    31 May 2012, 12:43 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Walking across a street can be deadly. Ban it! You can get salmonella from eating raw foods. Ban them! You can drown in water. Ban it! I can starve paying New York taxes. Ban them!
    31 May 2012, 12:50 PM Reply Like
  •  
    "Wow! I could have had a V8!".............but then again, Mike will probably choose HIGH SODIUM as his next windmill to tilt at.
    31 May 2012, 02:53 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Bloomberg is a dictatorial fussbudget who is single-handedly transforming NYC into a flavorless, hopeless purgatory. Instead of focusing on serious problems, like stagnated employment, shrinking wages, depleted social services and the declining economic survivability of the average New Yorker, he chooses to count our calories and install bike racks for people to pedal to jobs that don't exist.
    What's next, "Nanny" Mike? Are you going to outlaw my Bacon Cheeseburger?
    During the years that he built his fortune, Bloomberg was a chain-smoker who lived on junk food and nicotine. In his corporate offices, there was a huge central "snack station" on every floor loaded with fatty and sugary treats of all kinds, including plenty of canned soda. This was to keep his workers productive, close to their desks and to dissuade them from lunch or dinner breaks.
    31 May 2012, 05:55 PM Reply Like
  •  
    how much time and tax dollars are being wasted on this?
    1 Jun 2012, 11:57 AM Reply Like
  •  
    slash I don't think he cares as long as he gets his own way.
    1 Jun 2012, 01:44 PM Reply Like
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