Mayor Mike Huether has proposed a ban on sales of fountain soft drinks in the city of Sioux Falls. The proposal would effectively end the sale of all fountain soft drinks larger than 24 ounces at all city regulated businesses including restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc. Much like the proposed soda ban set forth by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Mayor Mike Huether's proposal has the intent of making Sioux Falls a healthier city. There are many people that believe a ban on 'oversized' soft drinks would be beneficial in the fight against obesity, while those who oppose such a legislation see it is an infringement of the people's rights. The people of Sioux Falls should not allow the Mayor's proposal to be passed as it will have little effect on the health of the city as well as strip the people of their freedom of choice.
The first and foremost problem with this proposal is that it will have little to no measurable effect on the city of Sioux Falls. The ban does not have the power to prevent citizens from buying more than one beverage, so there is nothing to stop an individual from buying two 20 ounce soft drinks and drinking both of them. This structural flaw would allow for individuals to effectively circumvent the soda ban. Essentially, the ban would be making a minor inconvenience for the citizens who have the intent of drinking more than 24 ounces of soft drink.
Seeing that the ban will have no measurable effect, the ban is likely just a ploy by the area public health officials to make it look like something is being done about the obesity epidemic. Art Carden discusses this idea of taking a stand for virtually no gain in his article “Soda Ban a Meaningless Gesture With Limited Effect.” Carden argues that chain restaurants such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell and KFC make easy targets because they are faceless companies that can be painted any way that politicians see fit without really having a say in the matter. It is an easy way for a society to neglect their health and say that they have been duped by these “evil” companies. Carden agrees with this idea that people are not taking responsibility for their actions, stating that these fast-food companies “provide us with a nice way to shift blame for problems we bring on ourselves.
After reading "The Toxic Truth About Sugar" and "Banning the Big Gulp", I am not entirely convinced that government intervention is necessary. Lustig, Schmidt and Brindis' article practically clarifies the the dangers of sugar itself, while Bittman's article passionately discusses the temporary cessation of the decision to ban/restrict the sale of over-proportioned drinks. Although, as Lustig and his colleagues pointed out, sugar has potential for addiction and other long term detriment to health and economy, the authors failed to acknowledge the fact that people can still watch what they eat. For example, a 1.9lb (862g) bag of Sour Patch Kids contains approximately 550 grams of sugar; 26g per single serving of 16 pieces (40g). Lustig and his
Pratt, Katherine. "A Constructive Critique Of Public Health Arguments For Antiobesity Soda Taxes And Food Taxes." Tulane Law Review 87.1 (2012): 73-140. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
Have you ever thought if there was a way to improve our health. This article “Soda Showdown” by “Rebecca Zissou”, discusses whether we should tax all sugary drinks or whether we should not tax sugary drinks. There is two point of views in this article. One of the point of views say that we should tax sugary drinks, while the other side says we should not tax sugary drinks.
In order to get stakeholders on board with the policy change, it will be important to provide them with information that lead legislators to the creation of this policy. Educational resources, such as pamphlets, should be distributed. The city should hold information sessions explaining the potential hazards behind the overconsumption of trans-fat...
In addition, the fast food industry’s main goal is to produce profit, and advertisements for unhealthy nutrition options flood schools, television, billboards, and multitudes of other outputs, all places where young children can view endorsements for fast food. Drawing a parallel between fast food and tobacco, Fed Up claims that soda resembles the cigarettes of the 21st century and that both of these toxins present many future health implications. While continuing to discuss long term effects of unhealthy food and eating habits, various scientific researchers and individuals share that up to “40% of non-obese people have metabolic diseases” (Fed Up). While not everyone may appear overweight or obese, they may have diabetes, heart related problems, high blood pressure, and/or numerous other health concerns. Overall, Stephanie Soechtig’s Fed Up discusses the issues of obesity and how private provide and special interests place themselves above public
In “Don’t Blame the Eater,” David Zinzcenko illustrates a very valid argument. His conflict seems to be with the food industry and its horrible variety of products. The results have been staggering to the public’s health, especially teenagers. Fast food restaurants are Zinzcenko’s primary target for causing this epidemic. Zinzcenko stated, “lunch and dinner, for me, was a daily choice between McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken or Pizza Hut. Then as now, these were the only available options for an American kid to get an affordable meal” (pg.241). This statement is very true and has been for a while. Fast food is very convenient, especially for teenagers. People are reaching obesity at a very early age and remain that way throughout their lives.
This article is talking about a mayor banning beverages larger than 16 oz. at restaurants, sports arenas and movie theaters. The reason this mayor wants to ban large sodas is because he is afraid for all of New York’s health. That’s a good thing because a lot of us don’t know what we drink and eat most of the time. We just eat our food we don’t even bother to look what’s really in side such as calories, fats and oils in our food. This Mayor is doing New York a huge favor by banning large sodas. He’s helping everyone in New York about their health but people of New York doesn’t see that. There are people who are trying to not let him pass this law because some of them probably drink 16 oz. every day of once a week or twice a week or even more.
Obesity in America is a rising situation. The issue keeps getting more controversial and many people are blaming the fast food restaurants for this problem people are facing. Radley Balko the author of “What You Eat is Your Business” explains that no one should have a say on what people eat. The government plays a big role in trying to tell people what they can, and cannot eat. Balko explains how the government should not have any say so on what people choose to eat. David Zinzeko the author of “Don’t Blame the Eater” explains how it is not their fault they are obese. Instead, they are blaming the fast food restaurants for making them obese because of the small options they have are healthy. In my personal opinion, the government should have no choice in what we eat. Fast food companies should not be blamed for making people fat when people make the choice to go there knowing that it is not healthy.
“By age 15, I had packed 212 pounds of torpid teenage tallow on my once lanky 5-foot-10 frame. Then I got lucky. I went to college, joined the Navy Reserves and got involved with a health magazine. I learned how to manage my diet. But most of the teenagers who live, as I once did, on a fast-food diet won 't turn their lives around: They 've crossed under the golden arches to a likely fate of lifetime obesity” (463). As Zinczenko stated many teenagers are misinformed about the unhealthy foods they are eating. But is it the fast food industries job to inform them? I don’t think so the fast food industry is interested in making money not informing the public the harm that their food would cause them. Radley Balko states in his essay “What You Eat is Your Business” “…. our government ought to be working to foster a sense of responsibility in and ownership of our own health and well-being” (467). The fast food companies are aware of the accusations made over the years and has acquired different varieties of healthy alternatives to their menu such as; grilled vs fried chicken, a variety of salads, apples instead of french fries, and substituting milk for soda. Those changes do not stop consumers from walking into a McDonald’s and ordering their child a happy meal with fries and a soda it is the choice of the
Mankiw, N. Gregory. “Can a Soda Tax Save Us from Ourselves?” New York Times. New York Times, 5 June 2010. Web. 11 July 2011.
In May of 2012 Mayor Bloomberg announced his portion cap rule proposal (Renwick, 2013). This proposal would ban the sale of sweet and sugary beverages that are over sixteen ounces in size. This ban would affect movie theaters, restaurants, street vendors, and any other commercial entity that is regulated by the New York City health department (Yee, 2013). This proposal is commonly referred to as the New York City Soda Ban.
With the continued growth of fast food restaurants, low priced food, and fast friendly service, these restaurants have become very appealing to the average consumer. With this increase in popularity, there has come many problems for these companies associated with the fast food industry. These stores are being blamed for the rise of obesity and other health issues in America; leading to many wanting a ban or probation on these fast food restaurants. The Government has stepped in on this issue and is trying to coming up with solutions for this so called “epidemic”. “One ordinance has passed by the Los Angeles City Council that bans the issuance of permits relating to the construction of any new fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles, California to promote healthy eating choices” (Creighton, 2009, p. 249). This law stops fast food restaurants from building any new stores in South Los Angeles. This law tells people that the “government is better at making choices for people than the people are for themselves” (Creighton, 2009, p. 249). It is like the government is treating their citizens like children making decisions for them, because they do not know better. Fast food restaurants should not be blamed for the consumers’ health problems, because it is the consumers’ choice to eat there, and these restaurants are not as bad as anti-fast food activists make them out to be.
It is sad. People from all races and backgrounds are obese. In a recent survey done at Henry Ford College, 43 percent of students were overweight. Whether it is because they do not follow a healthy diet or they inherited it from their parents. Being overweight is correlated with lacking exercise or physical activity and not watching what is on the plate. Obesity can cause many illnesses, including diabetes, which is very common. As the debate whether soda tax should take effect arises, critics say that the tax will help those with obesity-related illnesses. What about exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle? These two factors cannot be forgotten knowing they are the most important. Americans have consumed 12 percent of soda and become less active since 1970. A soda tax aims to stop consumers from buying soda to help those who are obese. This will not be effective. Therefore a soda tax will not be good public policy.
“For someone not to know that a big mac is unhealthy is ignorance, and ignorance is not the responsibility of the fast food industry,” (Daniel Speiser). The amount of fast food joints has largely increased which has become a problem for many people throughout the United States. Several people place the blame for the rising obesity among children on the rising fast food industries due to its convenience, price, advertising, and somewhat un-nutritional content. Some people even take it as far as court to place blame on the fast food industries and for those industries to make changes to their restaurants. The high percentage of obese children in the United States is not caused by the fast food industry. The obesity epidemic has other outside influences, the fast food industries have changed dramatically, and people should take responsibility for their own consumptions. It is time for people to stop placing the blame on others and take responsibility for themselves and their actions.
The obesity epidemic is the country's most serious health issue, When walking down the street notice half of all people you may come across are overweight. This is the reason obesity is now so known because of the way people look, and the weight they put on. Obesity is common and the government wants to ban certain liquids that people drink because of the weight they gain from them, however, I believe people should be able to drink as much as they want even if weight is gained. People shouldn’t be controlled on what they drink because they are their own person, why be controlled when they have the right to drink what they want when they want. In the article “A Ban Too Far” Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York has made health his number one priority