The New York City Soda Ban

                                                                                                        

    The New York City Soda Ban

     The New York City soda ban is a new law that, if passed, will ban sodas over 16 ounces from city regulated restaurants. The soda ban should be opposed because it has several loopholes and is less effective then it should be, because of the ways there still are to get soda. The New York City soda ban also takes away New Yorkers choice; New Yorkers don’t need the government to tell them what to drink. Therefore the New York City soda ban should be opposed.

     The New York soda ban would not be effective because there are too many loopholes. Only city regulated establishments are affected, these restaurants include, Subway, McDonald’s and Wendy’s. Convenience stores such as 7-eleven and Rite Aid will be exempt from the ban. The ban also states that if the establishment doesn’t put the sugar in the drink its ok. So you could potentially go to Starbucks and buy a 31-ounce Trenta and add as much sugar as you want but yes, it’s legal. The ban also says that if the drink is 50% milk or over its ok.  So the Oreo Vanilla Bean Coolatta with over 150 grams of sugar from Dunkin Donuts is legal. There are so many loopholes and ways to still buy sugary drinks. There must be a better way to solve the problem then this ban. Although supporters of the ban may argue, the ban is a start to a long fight against obesity and other illness’ sugar causes, it’s not a big enough step. The ban still has so many loopholes and ways to buy the big sugary drinks consumers want.

     The New York City soda ban should also be opposed because it takes away New Yorkers freedom of choice. In a 2012 poll taken by Eliot Hoff, a spokesman for New Yorkers for Beverage Choice, Eliot wrote that 60% of New Yorkers believe the ban was a bad idea. Zara Atal, a 20-year old college student from New York says “If people want to drink 24 ounces, it’s their decision.” Supporters of the ban may say that this ban shows that the government cares about its citizen’s health, but the question is, how far can the government go?  The majority of people don’t like nor approve with the ban. The people are effected should have a say.

     At the end of the day we have to look at the fact that the New York City soda ban has too many loopholes and take away citizens freedom of choice. If the ban is passed it will take effect in March of 2013 and ban drinks over 16 ounces from New York City regulated restaurants. The ban will affect all soda loving New Yorkers from drinking what they want. Your voice counts, so stand up for your big sodas and enjoy them while you can.

-Aleyna Ndaw