On Tuesday of this week New York City was set to implement a
new mandate passed down from Mayor Michael Bloomberg eliminating the sale of
sugary drinks in quantities greater than 16 ounces in restaurants, movie
theaters, and other food service establishments. At the last hour a New York Supreme Court
justice struck down the law, but the mayor vows to fight the appeal.
This is just one of a series of city ordinances the mayor
has implemented dealing with public health issues. Earlier in his term he has pushed to disallowed
smoking in restaurants and bars in the city, banned the distribution of food
containing artificial trans-fats and the posting of calorie counts at chain
restaurants. His rationale is to look
out for the well being of the citizens of New York City. The fact is that 60% of adults and 4 of 10
children in New York City are overweight.
It is the definition of a health crisis.
While the obesity rate for New York City is 24% among
adults, which is below the national average of 35%, the trend for adults
contracting Type 2 Diabetes is outpacing the nation. According to the Huffington Post, the United
States pays $245 billion each year battling Type 2 Diabetes.
According to Mayor Bloomberg, “It would be irresponsible not
to try to do everything we can to save lives.”
The Supreme Court of New York struck down the ordinance
calling it "fraught
with arbitrary and capricious consequences". Some of the difficulties with the ban include
establishments run by the state, not the city, would not have to abide by the
ruling. For example, because 7-11 is
monitored by the state of New York, it does not fall under the city’s
jurisdiction. Therefore, the sale of Big
Gulps would not be affected.
Mayor Bloomberg has vowed to continue this fight in spite of
the court’s ruling. He is committed to
doing whatever he can to improve the overall health of New York City, by whatever
means available to him as mayor.
What do you think about the ban of sugary drinks in New
York? Is Mayor Bloomberg acting responsibly
or is he over-extending the powers of his job and violating peoples’ right to
choose? Do you think obesity is an issue
in our country? If so, does the
government have a responsibility to do something about it?
Petie-I think this is good because if we are trying to cut down on obesity then we can't just tell them to work out because they probably wouldn't have the willpower to do it. I think it is right in the middle because it is the right and power of the mayor to enforce these types of laws because he should try to do what is best for his people. He should also keep because thats what his people want (which alwasys isnt the best). Obesity is no doubt the biggest health issue in our country. It can lead to as many health problems other than obesity. The government definitely does have something to do with this, due to the fact that the governments power is over the entire country and their well being
ReplyDeleteThomas B.-I think it is a pretty good law since kids like me go into stores and buy a 64 once bottle o' Coke and think its fine.I think people do have the right to choose, but I don't think that is much of a dictatorship if you can't get your favorite soda size.Yes, lots of kids don't do much exercising and that could or will lead to heart problems. It may be if the health of the people is benefiting from their acts.
ReplyDeletePatrick-I think the ban of sugary drinks in New York is totaly reasonable because it is the main cause to the childhood obesity.I think the mayor is strict but reasonable, if we want to get America back in the running for healthiest contry we should start with sugary drinks, but we also have a ton of rules so do we realy need more than we already have. eventualy we will have so many rules that we won't be able to do anything!Obesity is an issue in our contry and i absolyutely think that the govermant has to do something about it!But we also can do it localy and see what we can do for our country!
ReplyDeleteGrace- I think it's great that the mayor is trying to make New York's inhabitants healthier; however I do not think it's right to ban sugary drinks from restaurants and such. I think that should be the owner's decision. People love sugary drinks, and some of them aren't going to just let this happen. I think it should be a person's choice if they want to have a sugary drink, even if it is the unhealthy decision. Especially if a movie theater doesn't allow drinks from outside the theater, they should have a variety of drink choices, even if some of them are sugary. I don't go to the movies very often, and I don't drink soda a lot. When I do go to see a movie, I generally get a soda because it's kind of a special occasion. I would be mad if I weren't allowed to have a soda at the movies. I think the mayor is violating the citizens' of New York rights to choose what they want to drink. I do think obesity is an issue in our country, but it's not like the president can say that no one is allowed to eat candy or pie (even on Pi Day)because it contains sugar or that you have to have vegetables everyday because they're healthy. It is best that you have some vegetables everyday and that you cut down on sweets, but I do not think it's right to make a law that says to do those things. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great the mayor is trying to make his city healthier, but there are other ways to do that then banning sugary drinks. For example, you have to raise awareness, and you could start an organization that does so and that helps children make healthy choices. Also, a lot of children may be overweight, but being healthy doesn't just involve food. They have to exercise too!
ReplyDeleteI think that it is good that the mayor is regulating how many calories people consume from drinks. I think he is doing his job because it is huge problem not only in New York but all over America. I do think obesity is a problem in our country we are on of the heaviest countries in the world. The government is responsible because they can regulate what foods we eat and how bad they.
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DeleteNikita- I think it would be a good ban. Americans are seriously becoming really, really fat and overweight. We really don't need over 16 ounces of sugary soda. Personally, I think we need less of that through the entire day. I think he's acting responsibly. I mean really people, are we really gonna die if we can't order over 16 ounces of soda? Please, it's not like he's monitoring everyone's sugar intake and saying you can only have 16 ounces of soda a day. If you really wanted to, couldn't you just go two different stores and order 16 ounce sodas at both (not saying that you should though)? So, obviously you can tell I think obesity is an issue in our country, I definitely think that the government has a responsibility to help people NOT be obese. So, good for that New York mayor! I think he's definitely doing the right thing!!
ReplyDeleteLiza- I think that there are a ton of conflicting emotions here. Yes it is okay that the government is FINALLY being concerned about the ever-growing obesity problem in America. I DO think that they might be going about it the wrong way. I mean, don't Americans have the right to drink and eat whatever they want? There isn't really a good answer to that though. I think the mayor is taking up responsibility for all the overweight people in America. That really is nice. I do think it is being a tad to controlling though. It IS a free country right? I DO think obesity is a HUGE problem in our country. I see more kids walking down the street push 130 lbs then I do people exercising. I think THAT says it all. i do think that the issue has been ignored for a long time, and I'm glad that the issue is finally being addressed.
ReplyDeleteLily- I think that banding most fountain drinks will definetly cut down on the obesity rate. Then again people should have the freedom to choose what they want.Mayor Bloomberg is trying to help out, and I think it will help out. On the other hand he is takeing it a little to far. He is using his power of authority a little to far and he needs to change that. He had the right idea to cut off on most of the sugary drinks, but he went a little to far with banding drinks over 16 ounces to be sold. Obesity is definetly an issue in our counrty because people don't work as hard for what they need. They jus sit on a couch and wait for someone else to do it for them. The government I think should have to do something with it. They need to try to lower the obesity levels. Then again they need to not go so far and make shure that people know that it's happening but just keep ot to a minimum and let organizations figure it out.
ReplyDeleteAdriana- I think that the cut of the sugary dinks will definitely have an effect on the obesity rate. it wont fix the obesity problem but it will help a lot. I think it was right to ban the sugary unhealthy drinks but I think he should have made the drink size a little bigger just cause my 6 year old sister can drink 16 oz. of anything super fast. I do think obesity in our country but I don't really think its because of how much food we et. yes that will have a part but I mostly think that its because our country is kind of lazy and we don't exercise. cause where we live we love our cars so I don't see as much people actually exercising or riding their bike to school or work. I do and I don't think the government should do something about obesity. I do because they have control over the whole country pretty much and because obesity is one of our biggest health problems. I don't think they can though because the government cant force them to exercise or they cant control what they eat only they can do that because its their life and they have a right to live how they want to.
ReplyDelete-Luke I believe that the ban of those types of drinks is fair and justified because of what the mayor's motives are. To be honest, I think this is what a mayor is for. Making laws in the city for the well-being of the people, so I do not think that in any way is he overextending his powers given to him. I dont think the english call us fat for nothing. Obesity is something america has been struggling with for decades. I think america should do something about it, but nothing too strict. We are supposed to be a free country, after all.
ReplyDeleteNate- Sugary drinks are not what is causing people to get fat. The amount of food people eat at home is. You can't limit the food the people are eating at home, so you really can't fully prevent the population from becoming obese. Plus, people should really have the right to decide how much they want to eat. I believe that the mayor is being a little irresponsible with is power.And it really depends if you think obesity is an "issue". Yes, some people here are a little bit big. But is that really what we should be spending our precious money on fixing? I think not. In my opinion, resisting the urge to over-eat should be a decision made in the hands of whoever confronts it, not the government. It is good that at least some people are concerned us, though.
ReplyDeleteSydney-I think the sugary drinks are really bad for people's health. I think that that was a good call to ban it. Many people are becoming really fat and even obese from things like this.I think that their mayor is doing this for a good cause to lower the risk of being overweight. Many of the people will be really disappointed. I think it is a little strict though too. Obesity is definetly a problem in our country. Many people just get stuck in front of a TV drinking a liter of Mountain Dew and a few bags of Cheetos. I think that they government should have something to do about it. I think that its great that people are finally staring to talk about it and they are going to stop ignoring this problem
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ReplyDeleteWes- I think it is kind of good and kind of strange what they did here. Sure, it would help people become skinnier but that is not the entire issue. I mean, it is not just sugary drinks that are the problem, it is the foods with the high amount of calories that are a problem too. This will only solve some of the problems but not stop the issue. I do think the Mayor is going a little overboard with this because of how he is not really solving a problem, he is kind of creating a new one because of how many people will demand the drinks to come back if this happens. I do think obesity is a problem because of how it kind of shortens your lifespan AND increases the risk of heart attacks, but if the government came in and got rid of a lot of junky foods, we would feel miserable and cause a riot. I honestly wouldn't like it if we had a protest over how many calories French fries need in order to be considered healthy
ReplyDeleteRyan- I think it will be a good thing for people not to have such sugary drinks. Although I like the idea of people not drinking such a drink, I do think the mayor is over-extending his power. People have the right to choose. If they want to be obese it's their problem. Even if we have an obesity problem in our country it's the peoples right to choose. No the government doesn't get to do anything about it.
ReplyDeleteHayley: I think that law was a good one. America's teens are getting fatter and fatter. Banning sugary drinks will help cut down on teen and children obesity. I am in between. The banning of sugary drinks will help the kids turn to healthier drinks like milk and water. I also think the mayor may have to do what the people want. It may be a bad idea in which the people want but you sometimes have to do what the people want because they were the ones who elected you. Obesity is definitely an issue with Americans today. The obesity rates are definitely going up. Kids are not wanting to exercise but eat junk food all day. I think the government has the right to do something about this.
ReplyDeleteI think the ban of sugary drinks in New York is a both good and bad decision. I think it is good that New York is trying to decrease obesity. But at the same time I don’t think it’s really going to help the mayor get reelected. Personally I think Mayor Bloomberg is violating peoples’ rights. It is a free country!!! Lauryn Hodge-Its great that he’s trying to make them healthy but it really should be up to the people. Yes obesity is deffinently an issue in the U.S.A. I think it is the government has some responsibility over the obesity. The price of food and drinks is the governments responsibility. If you go to McDonalds you can feed your whole family for like $10. But a nice salad for 1 person is like $5. That is something the government could control.
ReplyDeleteTomas- I drink a lot of soda but i think taht the ban on soda is a good idea. i think that a lot more people in new york will be a little bit more healthy. I definetly think that Bloomberg is over-extending his power. the people should choose because we live with a democracy. Obesity is definetly a big issue in this country. people are eating KFC for dinner every day and they are not active. I know that we are dealing with debt and gun control right now, but if the government does't do something about it, then it will make us feel like we had elected the wrong person.
ReplyDeleteLiam~ I think that the mayor is on the right track to calming down obesity, but he is also overextending his power a little. People should have the right to choose. I think that this law will eventually be cut down. And at that point the mayor will have to try another law to calm down obesity. So, yes I do think that he is overextending his powers, but I think that he is on the right track.
ReplyDeleteNatalie-I think that Mayor Bloomberg is definitely over extending his power. Let people eat and drink what they want. If our whole country was on the verge of obesity, then yes, that would be acceptable. But there has been no mass extinction yet from obesity, so I don't see why it's necessary. Our country is, on the whole, relatively healthy in my opinion. If we weren't, then yes, the government would be responsible to do something, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteReed- I think that it is a pretty good law. It is a good idea to cut down obesity. I belize that the people have a say in this but otherwise it is a pretty good idea. I also say that the soda companies should have a say in this also. Yes he is overextending his power a little but it is a good law and i think it will eventually blow over
ReplyDeleteAndoni-There are several different points of view people can have on this subject. I believe that the restriction on the portion size of the sugary soft-drinks is a little pit too much. While the mayor's intentions are good i do believe has over-extended his powers a little bit. I don't think that this is a choice that the government should have. I don't think that obesity is a major decision we must face. It is an issue that we can and must overcome. I do think that this is something that must be fixed, but this may not have been the best way of going about this.
ReplyDeleteBailie- I think that the ban is okay because I like how he’s trying to improve the health of New York, but he didn’t need to make it so ridiculously harsh. At least the mayor is doing something though. I think Mayor Bloomberg is both acting responsibly and over-extending the power power of his job. But, I can’t think of a better way to fix the health problem except to force people exercise which most people won’t do anyway even if there was a law. They’d just find a way to get out of it. I think obesity is a problem in our country because I don’t like our country to be known as the home of the fat, lazy, and stupid instead of the home of the brave. But I guess it’s expected since America practically feeds the world, so of course he was a surplus where all the food is grown. Also, like we talked about in class, Americans are just bigger. I think the government has a little responsibility to do something about it, but it mostly has to be our own choice. If we die because of our choices then so be it.
ReplyDeleteRaquel- I think maybe it is a little exasgeration. But it doesnt mean you cant encourage others to choose healthier drink products other than just sugary drinks. We all need sugar but not alot of sugar which is bad for us. i think that he is taking away the decision of people to choose but yeah we cant be drinking just sugary drinks. Every now and then is ok though. Its their own probelm if they choose to drink those drinks. But it must be really annoying if the government has to waste so much money on those people that choose not to make healthy choices. We all need to be aware of what were doing and decide whether that was a good choice or not.
ReplyDeleteRylie: I think the ban is fine because we still get our soda, but just not the bigger sizes. I love the idea because we need to start cutting back on our sugar intake. I think Mayor Bloomberg is post being very responsible and is kind of over doing his law-making abilities. They should make it a public vote. I think obesity is both an issue and not really. Our nutrition is a big factor for our build. Americans are just built bigger than most other countries. No, i don't think the Government has responsibility in this because it is a life choice and commitment, but it does cost a lot.
ReplyDeleteNekane-I think the people should get the right to drink soda but it’s not like all the soda is gone there is still other sodas so it’s not that bad but for people who are big soda drinkers are probably upset or mad. I think he is going too far. Yes he can do what he wants but taking away people’s right to drink soda is not right it’s not his chiece. Yes I do think we may have an issue with obesity and it’s bad I even have an issue with being overweight. Yes but then again no I don’t know how he would but if there was a way he could I’m sure it would be a great idea but if people are ok with being obese than I guess its ok for them.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel- I think that the ban made by Mayor Bloomberg against sugary drinks is a good idea. Although it needs a little more fine-tuning, I think it will probably eventually work. I also think he is actually being more responsible because obesity is definitely a rising issue in our country. He is trying to protect people’s lives, and I don’t exactly think that banning these sugary drinks is over-extending his powers. He was elected to be a good leader, and a good leader would protect his or her people at all times. This is what the Mayor is doing essentially. Obesity needs to be combated, and doing something against this growing issue is better than just watching it take more lives. Although it is nice for the government to help, the government doesn’t necessarily have a responsibility to stop obesity. It is the people’s choice as to what their diet should be, and what they do to their life. In the end, it’s up to the people as to what happens to them, and the government may not make any difference to them.
ReplyDeleteKEELIE: I think the ban is reasonable. People don’t need all that sugar. It’s their choice, sure. But sometimes they don’t know what’s good for them, or don’t care. But if the government steps in and says no then maybe people will realize they don’t need all that soda. No, I don’t think he is acting irresponsibly. He cares about his people health. And money. Yes, I do think it’s an issue. Everywhere just not here. It’s really bad. A lot of people in my family are overweight. I told my mom that we should all eat healthier. Or at least go on walks. (I’m saying in a nice way my parents need to exercise more.) but she shrugged it off. I’m not done with her OR my dad yet. They day it’s their genes. Yes, the government should do more about. Girls, and guys, need to be comfortable with themselves. But they can’t think that being fat is okay too. We can all fix our lifestyles to become healthier.
ReplyDeleteMegan- I think the soda ban is very responsible of Mayor Bloomberg. Whether we like it or not, America is going through an obesity crisis. It is the mayor's job to help the people move out of this, which includes sacrificing. Also with the money spent curing diabetes, we could be help others with the opposite fate as us. This means starving people in Third World countries. The government has a duty to support healthy living with all of its citizens. I think we are moving in a right direction with banning soda.
ReplyDeleteClaire-There are way too many sugary drinks in America and I think Mayor Bloomberg is right to band those drinks but there ways to get around it. People drink too many sugary drinks and get fat. Also there are fast foods that are making people fat. It is the people's choice what they choose to eat and drink and do and it is up to the government to help them stop getting fat.
ReplyDeleteAubrie-I personal think that the ban of sugary drinks is a start to ending obesity but it is defiantly not the cure. I think this because at least he’s trying to set out for a good cause because if no one starts with little things than no one is ever going to ever try. I think that he is over-extending the powers of his job and violating peoples’ right to choose because I don’t think that he mayor of a city should not be able to decide how much soda you allowed to buy. Also pretty soon he is going to decide how much junk food you allowed to purchase and also I think that It would have been better for him to just had left it the way that it was because now he is going to excaudate the fact and make it worse…therefore people are going to buy more of the sugary drinks. Yes, I do think that obesity is a major issue in the US. Some of the reasons that I think is part of the reason why so many people are obesity is because their lack of exercise and physical activity, poor diet habits, and also lack of sleep. So yes I do think that It is a major issue in our country. Yes, because they need to require that the healthier ingredients go into our foods rather than the cheapest. So the government does need to help with the overcoming of obesity.
ReplyDeleteJohn-I think it's good that the mayor banded sugerary drinks because he is trying to help maintain people's weight. I also think it is a bad thing because it should be a person's decision wether they want to drink a drink or not and it's a free country. I think what he did is responisible because he is trying to prevent people from being obeast.I also htink he is violating people's rights by telling them what to do and not to do.I do think obesity is a major problem in our country because so many people are eating unhealthy food that cuts into their health, which makes them obeast. I don't think it's are goverment's becaause people choose what to eat and drink and what not to eat and drink. I also think the government should be aware of obesity and make some changes that will prevent peopele from becomin obeast.
ReplyDeleteIsabel- I think what the Mayor did is lame. It's not going to keep people from getting fat if that's what he intended. When you order soda at a restaurant, weather it's 16 oz or 32, if you drink the whole thing, they refill it. Sure, I think that everyone should quit drinking soda and eating crap, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go around taking everyone's potato chips. If the government is so worried about child obesity, we should have a longer P.E class! that can be one way they could see that kids get exercise. I also think that it's everybody's own responsibility to stay fit. The government, shouldn't need to worry about how much exercise our lazy country gets. You are responsible for your own actions. Obesity is a problem in our country, so maybe we should do something about it, maybe everyone should. But you can't blame others for what you have done.
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