Mental Health

Soda Drink Ban Starts March 12, Other Cities Contemplating Enforcing Ban

By Jennifer Broderick | Update Date: Mar 01, 2013 05:52 PM EST

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's "soda ban" will go into effect on March 12, prohibiting the sale of sugary drinks which are larger than 16 ounces. The ban is already inspiring other states congressmen to discuss the possibility of further expanding the soda ban.

Starting in two weeks, restaurants, movie theaters, food cars and other vendors regulated by the city health department will stop selling soda and sweetened beverages in containers larger than 16 ounces.

The New York Post notes that many pizza outlets and their customers are less than thrilled with the coming soda ban. Most pizza customers buy a two liter soda for $3. Six 12-oz cans - a roughly equivalent amount of soda - will cost $6 to $7.50.

'It's not fair. If you're gonna tell me what to do, it's no good,' Steve DiMaggio, of Caruso's in Brooklyn, told the newspaper. 'It's gonna cost a lot more.'

The ban applies to sodas and surgery teas and juice drinks. Diet sodas and 100 percent juice are exempt. 

According to a new Quinnipiac poll, 51 percent of New York City voters disapproved of the ban, compared to 46 percent.

Republicans and blacks are particularly opposed to the ban, with 65 percent and 60 percent respectively saying they are unhappy with the law.

Bloomberg says too much soda consumption is resulting in obesity problems - especially for low-income New Yorkers and children. The ban is least popular in Staten Island, with 67 percent opposing,  and the Bronx with 60 percent, according to the poll.

According to the Washington City Paper, a suburb of D.C. looking to ban soft drinks at schools, and most city candidates said they would implement a similar ban to New York

In a related proposal, California State Senator Michael Rubio introduced a bill in early February that would ban people who use the federal food stamp program in the state from buying sugary sodas. Any drinks that contain more than 10 calories per 8 ounces would be banned. 

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