"New York Bans Big Gulp" http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/13/health/new-york-soda-ban/index.html
Obesity in America has reached
epidemic proportions and governments have started getting involved. Currently
over one-third of U.S adults are obese and over one half of New Yorkers are considered
overweight. This past September, New
York became the first state to put a ban on large, sugary drinks. This interdict prevented those in the state
from buying pop or other unhealthy drinks of sixteen ounces or larger in
restaurants, gas stations, and servers across the state. Mayor Bloomberg stated
that New York needed this not only to combat obesity, but also to try to lower
the four billion dollars spent on Medicare for obese people in the state. Seven out of eight on the board of health in
New York voted for the bill’s passing for the same reasons that Bloomberg
suggested. This has caused anger from many all over the state and across
America.
It is well known that America is
the fattest country in the world, but is it appropriate for a state governments
to take away people’s right to drink massive amounts of sugar? Personally, I enjoy a large forty-two ounce
coke or slushy every once in a while. I
also understand that people drinking these liquids daily are doing nothing but
hurting themselves. For this reason, although it is hard to accept, this may be
a necessary step in limiting obesity in America. Should this ban be placed on America? I might
miss my Big Gulp too much.
I for one am a person who rarely ever drinks pop. But I do agree with you Micah that it is nice to have it every once in a while. Still, I believe that this isn’t a bad way to fight the obesity epidemic in America. People NEED to eat healthier. And the sad thing is not very many people who should do or even make an attempt to. I mean look at us Americans. Who doesn’t like a juicy hamburger, fries, and a pop? We as Americans eat this kind of junk food all the time from fast food restaurants. And no one can stop someone who ought to be eating healthier from eating this kind of food. But what New York is doing is a good step to making Americans healthier. We need it. As much as many people will hate it, it is a necessary change for people. If people will not try to be healthier themselves then an outside force must push them to be healthier. Other countries look down on us with our obesity epidemic. If we want to get better changes are going to be needed to be made, whether we like it or not.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you. There is nothing wrong with the occasional slushy or over sized fountain drink, but if you go to a store so often that you get a frequent user card, then we might have to draw a line. New York is making the right move by banning these gigantic thirst quenchers in one of the more obese states, but I don't think it's necessary to enforce a nationwide ban. Some states that are a bit more unhealthy than others should follow New York's lead. And for Nebraska specifically, I think we can all be content with sucking down only 32 ounces of brain freezing slush rather than 64.
ReplyDeleteI've been a big fan of Mayor Mike Bloomberg for a while now, and fully support this ban. Sure, it could be frustrating to not be able to purchase enormous amounts of soda in just one bottle, but if you really need your sugar, you can purchase as many bottles as you want. There still isn't anything keeping people from buying large amounts of soda besides a price difference. Also, in terms of cutting down obesity in NYC, I think a lot of people would be more hesitant towards buying 3 bottles of a soda than buying one huge one, solely out of self dignity. Only good can come out of this, really.
ReplyDeleteThe problem here doesn't seem to be the law. It's the people that the law wants to help. What I find ironic is that people sue McDonald's because the end up obese from eating there daily, but then are in an uproar when the government tries to help them. I think the goal of this law is not only to fight obesity, but to teach moderation. Now, is it wrong to drink an XL soda? I do t think so. But, if you do that for every meal, forgetting water and milk and other healthy drinks, then it becomes a problem. I'm divided over this issue, but I am at least glad to see someone taking action to help Americans become healthy. Hopefully enough people can use this to realize their fault, instead of blaming it on fast food rest restaurants, so that eventually we don't even need laws like these. Is it wrong? Maybe. Will it help? Hopefully.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless America
Wow! That's crazy. I think this is a great decision though, no one needs that much sugar. It's a luxury we can and should live without. The obesity problem in America hasn't seen much initiative to get some progress so i applaud New York and hopefully this will be a spark for more and wider spreads of initiative to begin making a healthier country.
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