New York's Proposed Cap on Soda Size Gets People Fizzing

[corruptrelic]

Are large sugary drinks a health risk or a civil rights concern?

That's the debate set off by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal to restrict the sale of sodas and other sugar sweetened beverages to 16 ounces or less.

Advocates on both sides of the issue faced off at a public hearing Tuesday in Queens.

Beverage companies, their advocacy groups and some consumers vehemently object to the ban. Aside from the obvious reason that it will cut into profits, they claim it will limit choice and amounts to "nanny state" policing of personal nutrition.

"While we feel the mayor has good intentions, his proposal seems arbitrary," said Eliot Hoff, a spokesperson for New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, a group that receives a portion of its funding from the National Beverage Association. "We believe that we can choose what we drink and how much we drink."

http://news.yahoo.com/yorks-proposed-cap-soda-size-gets-people-fizzing-214248298--abc-news-wellness.html

This kind of government intrusion telling us how to live our personal lives is what pushes me more and more into the direction of the Libertarian Party.

[corruptrelic]

And a Judge sees common sense..

New York City’s ban on large-size soda drinks was blocked by a judge after industry groups including the American Beverage Association sued to stop the plan, calling it an unfair burden on small businesses.

The city’s Board of Health in September approved Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to limit the size of sugary soft drinks sold in restaurants, movie theaters, stadiums and arenas to no more than 16 ounces (473 milliliters) a cup.

Groups representing beverage makers, restaurants and theaters filed a petition in New York State Supreme Court in October, the state’s trial level court, seeking to block enforcement of the measure, calling the ban “unprecedented interference” with consumer choice.

New York Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling in Manhattan approved the group’s request, issuing a permanent injunction preventing the city from implementing the plan, which had been scheduled to begin March 12. The city may appeal the ruling.

The groups said the decision by the Board of Health to approve the ban was overreaching and ignored the rights of New Yorkers to make their own choices. The plan is “grossly unfair” to small businesses such as hot-dog vendors and pizzerias because convenience and grocery stores can still sell the larger sizes, lawyers for the groups told Tingling during a hearing in January.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-11/new-york-city-soda-size-limitations-barred-by-state-court-judge.html

[Knightshade Dragon]

I can't believe this was a *thing*.   I think these politicians should sit down with their cabinet and field some of these ideas aloud with them so people could say "Do you hear how dumb this sounds?  We shouldn't say this aloud Mr. Governor..."

[Moliere]

I can't believe this was a *thing*.   I think these politicians should sit down with their cabinet and field some of these ideas aloud with them so people could say "Do you hear how dumb this sounds?  We shouldn't say this aloud Mr. Governor..."

It's for the children!!!!111!!!1

[Moliere]

[Teggy]

I rarely call "nanny state" on laws, but this one was just stupid. I hope the ruling holds up.

[naednek]

I shocked CA didn't think of it first

[Isgrimnur]

They're too busy trying to regulate McDonald's out of San Francisco entirely.  

ts popular "Happy Meals" were the target of a San Francisco law that prohibited the giveaway of toys with children's meals that did not meet certain nutritional standards.

The measure, which became law after the Board of Supervisors overrode the veto of Mayor Gavin Newsom last fall, was a classic example of regulation run amok. While we readily acknowledge that a Happy Meal laden with calories and fat is not the smartest choice, we think parents - not politicians - should be the ones telling their children what they can and can't order off the menu, or whether they can indulge in an occasional splurge of junk food.

Undaunted, McDonald's came up with a way to meet both the letter of the law and the spirit of parental choice: Starting today, San Francisco diners can order a toy with their Happy Meal for 10 cents - and the dime will go to charity.

[wonderpug]

I shocked CA didn't think of it first

Out of curiosity, is the new plastic bag policy in California common knowledge around the country?

[Teggy]

I shocked CA didn't think of it first

Out of curiosity, is the new plastic bag policy in California common knowledge around the country?

I have no idea what you're talking about, so I would say no.

[wonderpug]

I shocked CA didn't think of it first

Out of curiosity, is the new plastic bag policy in California common knowledge around the country?

I have no idea what you're talking about, so I would say no.

In several counties around the Bay Area, when you go to say, Target, or a grocery store, there is a slightly different process at the checkout line.  When it comes to the time you usually see your purchases transferred into bags, you instead get a blank stare from the cashier.  There's also a chance you will be asked, "Would you like to buy a bag?"

There are no more free disposable bags in these counties.  You either bring your own canvas bags, or you pay extra for each bag you get.

This seems to be a good county by county overview.  Some places have banned plastic bags entirely; only paper or canvas are available.

[Teggy]

That's something that would be a good thing for the whole country to work towards IMHO. I tend to forget my reusable bags, but if there was no other choice I'm sure I would remember to leave some in the car.

[hitbyambulance]

Seattle has done the same. i'd been toting around mesh/canvas bags with me for some years prior, so it works out.

[Jancelot]

Be sure to wash your bags.

http://reason.com/blog/2013/01/24/are-plastic-bag-bans-making-us-sick

[Eco-Logic]

Holy hell the government shouldn't have a say in what I drink, nor should they require me to  purchase bags.


That shit wouldn't fly in Tennessee, and for that I'm grateful.

[ATB]

That's something that would be a good thing for the whole country to work towards IMHO.

I rarely call "nanny state" on laws, but this one was just stupid. I hope the ruling holds up.

Which side are you on there, Teg?

[Ironrod]

Been using bags made from recycled plastic for a few years now. Never wash them, never got sick. When they get too gross I just replace them.

I fill up 6 big reusable bags of groceries every week. Each one holds at least twice as much as you could fit into a plastic film bag, so I figure I'm avoiding 12 bags a week or 600 per year. I do still use the occasional throwaway bag when I need to make an unplanned grocery stop, so I'm glad they aren't banned here.

In a lame attempt to make this on-topic...if most people made responsible choices voluntarily, nanny laws like this would never gain traction.

[Teggy]

That's something that would be a good thing for the whole country to work towards IMHO.

I rarely call "nanny state" on laws, but this one was just stupid. I hope the ruling holds up.

Which side are you on there, Teg?

The side of logical use of law to improve the general welfare. Regulating portion sizes for individuals does not fall in that category. Phasing out substances that will rot in our landfills for millennia does.

[Scraper]

Holy hell the government shouldn't have a say in what I drink, nor should they require me to  purchase bags.


That shit wouldn't fly in Tennessee, and for that I'm grateful.

Never say we can't find common ground on something, because I couldn't agree with you more on this topic. It doesn't start or stop at 20oz drinks with Bloomberg, remember the switch in frying oils every single fast food restaurant in the country made a couple of years ago? That was Nanny Bloomberg. Add salt, smoking in public, and mandatory calorie labeling to the list. Even if you agree with some of those where does it end?

[Moliere]

Even if you agree with some of those where does it end?

He has already moved on to hiding cigarettes. Because if they can't be seen then no one will buy them.

[hepcat]

If this country ever stops me from getting a Coke Icee roughly the size of my torso and costing about the same as a mini van while at a movie theater there...will...be...hell to pay.

[Moliere]

If this country ever stops me from getting a Coke Icee roughly the size of my torso and costing about the same as a mini van while at a movie theater there...will...be...hell to pay.

It has to be diet coke. And there will be a limit in the size of the straw to prevent you from getting a brain freeze. And you will have to wear gloves so your hands don't get too cold. And there will be a limit of one purchase a month.

[hepcat]

Keep me from my coke icee during a movie and I will burn this world down.

[th'FOOL]

Austin just went bagless. I keep on forgetting to bring my damn bags....

[Knightshade Dragon]

Austin just went bagless. I keep on forgetting to bring my damn bags....

Solution:  Juggle your groceries on the way home.  Entertainment, and no bags!