SODA BAN

Noah Sorensen                SODA BAN

2/9/13                                                                                          ELA

 

     The New York City soda ban is a ban stating that you cannot sell any sugary drink in a container more than 16 oz. in the city regulated restaurants.  But there are exceptions; such as if the drink contains at least 50% milk or milk substitute or the drink is sweetened by the consumer not the establishment.  But because most of the places that have these massive beverages aren’t city regulated, they are not affected.  All the ban is doing is inconveniencing the person, which isn’t enough to affect the obesity rates, which is why I oppose the ban.

     According to the article Sugar Wars by Veronica Megeral, 60% of people do not agree with this ban: as a result of a recent poll.  This just means people will start taking the extra walk or drive to 7/11 or their bodega, so much for the ban.  So what’s the point in the ban?  New York City Health Department studies show “More than half of American adults are obese.”  But what about increasing physical exercise rates, having better physical education classes, to burn the sugar because people access to sugar even after the ban will be passed is still too easy.

     Another of the many reasons 60% of New Yorkers including I do not believe in the ban because “By imposing this ban, the board has shown no regard for public opinion or consequences to businesses in the city.  From the article Sugar Wars by Veronica Mejeral, this is absolutely correct because the board and people who believe in the vote are 40% of New Yorkers.  Obviously outvoted by the 60% opposing.  But what about the businesses that used to sell these things and make good profit are going to struggle, that’s if they’re city regulated.  But most importantly out of all these reasons, one of the things so many people come and wish to come to America is for freedom.  And “This policy would restrict consumer’s freedom to buy beverages as they see fit,” said in article Sugar Wars by Veronica Majeral, which this ban is completely disregarding as a reason to not pass this ban.  Don’t you agree every little freedom we have in America makes America, America?

 

     Overall this ban is only inconveniencing the consumer and that alone is not enough to solve the problem.  The people who really want sugary drinks in large cups will get them.  Remember if there’s a will, there’s a way.