New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is so passionate about New York City's upcoming soft drink ban that he believes the policy should be expanded statewide, Inquisitr reported.
Beginning on March 12, New York City will ban the sale of sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces inside restaurants, food carts, concession stands and other fast food establishments. Those who violate these regulations will be fined beginning in June.
Convenience stores don't have to worry about these regulations, though, Inquisitr reported. Gas stations and supermarkets are under the state government's control, out of Mayor Bloomberg's reach. But at a news conference in Brooklyn, the mayor expressed he desire to see this changed. Someone asked him if movie theaters, bowling alleys, nightclubs and restaurants should have the same freedom to sell soft drinks as supermarkets.
"The state should do exactly the same thing in stores," Bloomberg said in response, according to Inquisitr.
The mayor sees his efforts as a way to halt the obesity epidemic.
"Kids, once they get obese, they will be obese as adults," Mayor Bloomberg said. "And this year, for the first time in the world, in the history of humanity, more people will die from overeating than from under-eating."
Consumers can still buy as many sodas as they want, despite this policy. If they don't feel satisfied by the amount of a beverage contained in the 16-ounce cup, they can get another one.
"We're not banning anything, other than saying you have to serve it in portions of 16 ounces or less," Bloomberg said, according to Inquisitr. "We're just trying to encourage you and educate you that this is probably not the greatest thing for you, and all of the research done shows that portion control really does work."
The New York City Board of Health gave the ban the green light in September, and although opponents have challenged the law in court, there hasn't yet been a ruling.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
