By now we have all heard about the New York Soda Ban law that could go into effect around May 12th. The law will prohibit restaurants, theaters, fast-food and office cafeterias from offering sugary drinks like soda any larger that 16 ounces. So this means no more pitchers of sodas at the bowling ally or at your kids birthday party at the pizza party if it is at a restaurant. Many restaurants and other companies that will be effected by the new law are scrambling to change their cups, get rid of pitchers and informing customers of the new laws. Some people see the soda ban as a way to help with the horrific obesity rates that are happening not only in New York, but world wide, while some simply see it as unnecessary and an infringement on personal freedom.
New York Soda Ban Cost Customers More
Not all businesses are effected by the soda ban law. Most high-end restaurants don’t serve soda’s any larger than 12 ounces, and convenient stores are not effected due to the fact that they are not under the purview of the NY Department of Health. In a post shared by “OutsidetheBeltway.com” they share the irony in the safety of the Big Gulp;
Ironically, considering that the Big Gulp was the poster boy for the ban when it was first announced—consumers were buying massively more high calorie soda because 7/11 was nudging them to do so by charging just a few pennies more than the price of a reasonably sized beverage—it’s not effected by the ban. AP reports, “The rule applies to restaurants, fast-food chains, theaters, delis and office cafeterias, but not convenience stores or supermarkets [emphasis mine].” – See more at: http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/bloomberg-big-soda-ban-dumber-than-we-thought/#sthash.bfTdDa5z.dpuf
Customers will see smaller cups and prices will more than likely be close to the same, so you are getting less for your buck. If you have that kids pizza party at their favorite pizza place, instead of a pitcher of soda that would normally cost you around $3, you will have to buy smaller bottles or cans that for the same amount ounces of the pitcher, would cost your around $7. Businesses will see effects as well. Many businesses are expecting to lose as much as $500 – $700 a week due to the ban. We all know that these businesses will make changes to make up the cost, and that will result in the customer paying more for other products and services.
New York Soda Ban and Obesity
Michael Bloomberg set this amendment back in September of 2012 as an attempt to combat the obesity problem. Obesity has been a huge strain on the medical industry, and it looks like New York spends $4.7 billion every year on obesity-related costs, and according to the NY Department of Health, 64% of New Yorkers are overweight or obese.
Mayer Bloomberg stated after the ruling in favor of the soda ban, ““We’ve taken bold action in New York City because obesity is a national epidemic that’s only getting worse, and we’re not just going to wring our hands about it,” Obesity is becoming a tremendous problem and strain on the medical industry all over the world. It has jumped as the number 1 worldwide medical epidemic, just over people dying of starvation. In New York, an estimated 5,000 people die each year due to obesity-related complications.
What are your thoughts on the New York Soda Ban Law?
There are a lot of thoughts and opinions pertaining to the New York Soda Ban. Many feel that this a great way to tackle an issue that is killing people every year that can be prevented, while other folks say that soda bans will not change the obesity problem, and it is an infringement on personal freedoms we have as Americans. It could be helpful, and it also can be a strain on the wallets of New York businesses, as well as the consumers.
What do you think? Is this a necessary move towards health, or is this just a move to show Bloomberg’s right to do what he wants? You tell me!
Chris Haro