Let’s face it. Most people do not buy that super-sized soda at the theatre and drink the whole thing. They usually share it among friends or family… and most likely end up throwing most of it away. So I don’t think the debate is really about the limiting drink sizes, which are forced upon us by businesses and movie theatre industries. The worry is that these businesses will end up just raising prices on smaller drinks, making it more expensive for families to afford that second soda. This proposal won’t hurt businesses; it may actually end up helping them. The people that will be hurt are the consumers, who may find it a little harder to enjoy a night out at the movies, which is already so expensive. I do think that in time though that this ban will be accepted by most New Yorkers, just like the Mayor’s other health initiatives, but it’s going to take a while to, ahem, digest.

By a vote of eight to zero, the Board of Health approved a plan today to ban the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces at restaurants, delis, mobile food carts, and concession stands in movie theaters, stadiums and arenas. Board members are appointed by Mayor Bloomberg, so the vote didn't come as a surprise. One member abstained.

The ban takes effect in March of next year. Supporters maintain it will help curb obesity by forcing New Yorkers to think about portion control. Opponents argue consumers should have the freedom to choose, and merchants could lose money. A lawsuit may follow today's ruling. What do you say?

What's your reaction to the 8-0 vote passing the ban of large, sugary drinks? Why do you think one member abstained, instead of voting no? Would you support a lawsuit seeking to reverse this decision?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

Tax soda instead. A perfect tax.

I think Bloomberg is just trying to get more attention & not takin proper attention to important issues instead of minding our private decisions.

Byron

I'm all for this ban!
Why?

1) The speed of comsuming (liquid) sugary drink is way faster than sweet food.
-- You could drink up a 16oz pop in a minute easily but barely swallow a 16oz doughnut or cookie in a minute.

2) It's an education for NYC kids to avoid being obsity, overall. NObody ever needs so much sugar in a cup all at once!
-- It was actually kinda sick/abnormal to first invent such a BIG size of cup! Guess it's only seen in America!
-- Why don't you just carry a gallon of pop if you have to drink it much.

Li-Lei

This Mayor is completely out of control. I would sue for the maxim. He has and looks like a deranged person.

HE SHOULD GET A LIFE ALREADY AND STAY OUT OF OURS. YESTERDAY HE LOOKED
LIKE A FOOL IN WASHINGTON.

So with all of the problems we are having in the world this is important.
What happens to all of the jobs that are not even started in the outer boroughs. When do they pave the streets or even fill pot holes? Did they ever get rid of the bed bugs? How dare him stand up there and give a tongue thrashing to Obama and Romney. Mind you he always has a lot to say but never ever face to face. He was bragging that he has brought back New York and they are doing nothing about it. SAY WHAT.
He can only do that because we pay the price for him to spend all of our tax dollars as he pleases to put on a show for his beloved tourists.

WHAT A DAMN PHONY.
YOU HAVE A SPECIAL INVITATION TO COME VISIT US ON NY1 THE CALL.
BUT WE KNOW BETTER BECAUSE WE WON'T HOLD OUR BREATH.
HE NEEDS TO STOP THOSE DISGUSTING COMMERCIALS THAT ONLY A SADISTIC PERSON WOULD GIVE ORDERS TO SHOW AND IF HE DOESN'T THEN I JUST WON’T WATCH ANY OF THOSE CHANNELS EVER AGAIN AND I DON'T CARE WHICH ONE IT IS.

I DON’T NEED THIS MAYOR TO REMIND ME OF HOW ILL MY MOTHER WAS AND SHE NEVER SMOKED.

Maxxiee
Morris Park

This countries government is just rediculous. The so called "land of the free" is laughable and the national anthem is more of a false advertisement. I love this country but I hate our government, it's just so corrupt and lacking of GOOD leaders. Most are in it for themselves if you ask me.

Controlling drink sizes? Really? What will the government tell the "LAND OF THE FREE" they CAN'T DO to themselves next? To be honest if I could convince my entire family to move to another country, I'd be out of here. I think the government is uncontrollable and their decisions convinced by the money and desires of others.

Why not do something people will like, for example: more time off of work like Italy or Spain (I believe they are given months of vacation at work), you know a country that doesn't talk freedom all the time but their lives scream it.

So to sum it up, we live in a great country but it's ruined by this government in my opinion.

I wouldn't waste taxpayer dollars to bring a lawsuit to reverse this decision. I think it is ridiculous and an infringement on our freedom, granted to us by the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION!!.

Why did one abstain - because if he voted "no" - he would have faced the wrath of "DICTATOR BLOOMY"

Jessica
Arden Heights

Banning big sugary cups is a way to start a conversation about the health effects of overeating and obesity, which will hopefully lead to better eating habits among New Yorkers and the American public at large.

Felix
Bay Ridge

It is none of the government's business what we imbibe, inhale, ingest or shoot up or in what quantity.

Joe
Port Richmond

MY BOOKIE COULD HAVE TOLD ME IT WOULD PASS EIGHT TO ZERO. EAGER TO PLEASE MAYOR PUPPETS OFTEN ARE YES PEOPLE.

HOW ABOUT LESS TOLLS, LESS POVERTY, LESS CORRUPTION LIKE THE TIME CARD THINGY? HOW ABOUT LESS HOMELESS PEOPLE?

POVERTY IS A WORSE SCOURGE COMPARED TO A PERSON MAKING WRONG CHOICES ABOUT THEIR CALORIC INTAKE.

INHALING CHICKENS TO THE TENTH POWER AND GUZZLING GALLONS OF SODA RESULT IN OBESE PEOPLE.

WHAT CAUSES POVERTY? INDIFFERENCE.

JOE
BAY TERRACE

Tell bloomberg and his cronies 2 resign b4 they get impeached by the voters who say enough is enough and roll back what he's done 2 the city

I think it’s a wonderful thing that Bloomberg is doing. We unfortunately have lost our ability or desire to limit ourselves.

I don't know what your topic will be tonight but I hope it has something to do with the "new law" voted in Re: 16 oz. soda....

What kind of society have we become.....?? My husband and I do drink soda occasionally, however I do not think Mayor Blumberg and the Health Department have a right to tell anyone what they can drink...and how much. It is an individual right to drink and eat whatever people want. What next? Donuts, ice cream, fried food etc.

Mayor Blumberg should get involved with other issues: helping people get jobs, etc. It almost sounds like he is working for Insurance Companies.....It is called peoples choice. I am just so angry that he can even this bill though. However, I think it will be reversed.....

Jack
Brooklyn Heights

I would absolutely support a lawsuit, and agree that Bloomberg has gone overboard with this one.

In the meantime, schoolteachers are spending their own money buying cleaning products to disinfect desks so the kids don't sick. Let's get our priorities straight.

Barri
Jackson Heights

Another Rich Man Decision. Is the price of a Bloomberg approved soda going to stay low? Will the cost of 2 equal the current cost of one large drink?

John
Manhattan

I would like to applaud the Board of Health voting to ban surgary drinks larger than 16 ounces. We are rapidly becoming a nation of fat, unfit and unhealthy people. Mayor Bloomberg cares enough to change this and for that I say, Kudos Mike.

Freddy
Glen Oaks Village

Well if the mayor can reduce the size of soft drinks let's see if he can do the same with the exorbident rents and subway / bus fares in the city. Goodbye New York.

Jimmy
The Bronx

First of all the Mayor should really be putting his energy towards the chemicals that are in our foods and beverages..then let us decide how big or how many portions we decide to eat or drink.

Anna

This is what I predict .. Watch the Soda companies and small businesses make more money .. and the reason why I agree with this is simply because . it seems like people are like kids in this city ..
People don't listen when told not to eat or drink too much sugar but when they get sick, it's us the Tax payers who wind up paying since most are on some sort of medicaid or medicare

M

While he's at, why not go after the pastry and ice cream shops and hot dog stands, all just as detrimental to one's health as is any size soda. Watch the price of a small soda skyrocket.

Steve
Forest Hills

Bloomberg is the Vladmir Putin of America. A rich dictator. As for his "Board of Health" toadies, I have lost all respect for them; they have zero credibility.

Frances
East Village

Its clear to me the reason the Mayor is behind this ban is because it serves 2 purposes. 1. His Image- This fits in with the image he is trying to portray with public health. 2.It has to do with controlling the traffic in the city,think of how many beverage trucks deliver beverages to buisnesses throughout the city....thats a big problem for a Mayor promoting pedestrian plazas and bicycling. By denouncing sodas perhaps hes trying to make the city friendlier to many of the newer tenants in luxury highrises throughout the city....just a thought..

Ryan
Fort Greene

LOOK AT THE STATEMENTS FROM THE MAYOR LATELY. DO YOU THINK THE MAYOR HAS HAD HIS SUGAR QUOTIENT FOR THE DAY OR IS THE MAYOR IS HAVING ANOTHER 'SENIOR MOMENT'? WE HAVE TO REALIZE, THAT BY NOW, AS A SENIOR CITIZEN WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO ACTIVATE THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BRAIN. HE IS USING THE PAINT SCENARIO IN HIS BRAIN, AND UPON AWAKENING, HE WANTS TO SEE THE NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE FROM HIS PERCH. THE NEXT MOVE BY THE MAYOR IS TO OUTLAW SEX, EXCEPT ON WEDNESDAY!!! I FEEL THE MAYOR WILL CHALLENGE HIMSELF AND THOSE NAYSAYERS TO MATCH HIS DONATION AND THEN BE QUIET. SHOW US THE MONEY!!

THEREFORE, STUFF HAPPENS. AND THE STUFF THAT IS HAPPENING NOW IS THE UNREST IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE PROBLEMS IN ESTABLISHING OR THE FORMATION/CREATION OF A NEW GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS BY OFFERING THESE HOT SPOTS THE CORRECT WAY TO START OR TO CREATE A NEW STRUCTURED GOVERNMENT. WITH ALL THE GENIUSES ABOARD FROM HARVARD, MIT, YALE (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GEORGE W. BUSH AND HIS "C" MINUS YALE GPA WHICH WE ARE NOW PAYING DEARLY FOR) WITH THE FINANCIAL IMPLODING ECONOMY, CREATED BY THE GOP AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS GROUP HAS THE FUNDS AND OTHER SUPPORT MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. THIS EFFORT WOULD BE USED FOR A SAFE AMERICA PROGRAM, INSTEAD OF THIS CUT AND RUN NONSENSE SCAM THEY HAVE USED AND ARE STILL USING, JUST UNDER ANOTHER NAME OR DBA AND AKA.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE NEED TO TRACK MONEY TRANSFERS FROM THE US TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES AND TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS. THIS IS A SIMPLE WAY TO COORDINATE AND IMPLEMENT THE MONEY TRANSFER SYSTEMS. SO THE MAYOR SHOULD HAVE THE PERSONNEL TO ASSIST THE PRESIDENT ON FINANCIAL MATTERS AND WAYS TO CURTAIL OR ELIMINATE THE AREAS OF CONCERN AS IT RELATES TO DEALING AND TRADING OF MONETARY RESOURCES. ANOTHER RESOURCE WOULD BE FOR THE MAYOR TO MAKE A BILLION DOLLAR DONATION TO THE USA AND THIS WOULD AWARD HIM OF A WIN-WIN SITUATION, AS THE DONATION WILL BE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

FOR THE NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN REMARKS BY THE MITT ROMNEY AND HIS BOY-TOY, PAUL RYAN, THEY SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH TREASON. WHAT IS UP WITH THE GOP, et al, AND THE ATTEMPTS TO SELL OFF AMERICA? REMEMBER BUSH WANTED TO GIVE DUBAI AUTHORITY OVER THE PORTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE GROUNDS FOR TREASON.

Carmelita
Harlem

I don't agree with the ban and hope a lawsuit is filed. It's not just sugary drinks that cause obesity..... unhealthy, fatty foods and the lack of exercise are a bigger problem.

Debbie
Whitestone

great idea!! the masses can be like sheep; they need to be guided and encouraged. what better way to do this then to control the market. just like the designer dress or suit - make it and they will wear it!

Kind of dopey to get this sort of campaign going when he says aloud that a person can have as many as desired.

let's look at the biology of weight gain, obesity and all of its accompanying medical hazards.....the biome project!

Then, let's look at things that impact kids every day, like school lunches (not so healthy here in NYC), the elimination of daily physical education and the severely diluted PE that does exist......many kids have PE only once or twice each week and not for the recommended 60 minutes per day. you want to develop healthy habits? Let's get real.
portion size is ruled by the home, we need effective health education in our schools that brings the information to families and communities.

I wish the mayor would focus on more important matters, and figure out how to find jobs for smart, talented individuals who are currently out of work. And, while I personally don't drink a 32 oz beverage on my own, did the mayor ever think there are many people who buy a 32 oz beverage to share, especially at the movie theaters, since it is more cost effective??

Andrea
Manhattan

Bottom line is Bloomberg needs to step down
he wants to control what we use
so where is our freedom of choice
also he attacks the consumers and this is not the first time
he wants to control the soda but not the alcohol or even fast food in the name of cutting obesity
and what about cigarettes in the past the way they decided to control it was by putting a heavy tax on it
well lets face facts at that time it was a gimmic to collect more money from the consumers

the real people to control are the manufactures but the fact it the government gets lots of money in taxes from these manufactures and they do not want to loose that business
plus not to mension the political favors.

Bloomberg Has exceeded his authority, and shown himself to be a hypocrite. He pretends to be concerned with our health, but he rides around in private planes and helicopters polluting our air. Why is he not concerned about our health when he is flying? This is a dangerous man to have in politics. I am glad he is as old as he is or he would manipulate a 4th term and start dictating all the little details of our lives. I say RECALL HIM.

Bruce
Chelsea

It is unfortunate that people poison themselves every day by drinking even small amounts of soda. When people get sick it costs New Yorkers lots of dollars in health care. We have have every right to regulate poisonous foods. We have every right ro try to keep health care costs down.

Sally

What happened to individual responsibility in this city? Where does it end? Is the next step going to be raising taxes on sugary beverages, cereals, and food to the same unprecedented level as cigarette taxes in grocery stores and bodegas? What about massive buckets of popcorn at the movies.or even Super-Sized Big Macs at McDonalds? Moreover, where will this money go? What about the real public health issues in NY where the un- or under-insured are prohibited from making health care decisions BECAUSE of a lack of government involvement? It is time for our elected officials to stop acting like over-bearing, uninformed parents who may reduce a fraction of a behavior without ever exploring the underlying issues.

Kat
Upper East Side

I agree 100% with the Mayor and Catherine Abate. I am in my late 20's and I have been addicted to sugary drinks and soda since I was a child. I don't eat that much but have become obese largely in part to - sometimes drinking a half gallon of or more of sugary stuff per day. I also suffer from hypertension. It is totally annoying to see my friends living a active lifestyles and getting out...while sometimes I am suffering from a hypertensive episode. Where was this approval 10 years ago.

Keith
Ozone Park

Apparently Bloomberg is more interested in battling 32-ounce Big Gulps than insuring the health and financial wellbeing of his city’s poor and
disadvantaged. It time to act ... Is now

Miguel

Mayor Bloomberg & his Health Dept soft drink monitors are so hypocritical! They speak of the correlation between sugary soft drink consumption & obesity, yet, the NYC Public Schools serve very unhealthy lunches every day to poor, hungry children that are high in carbohydrates & fat...it's just outrageous!

Kim
Harlem

Of course the Mayoral Appointees of the Board of Health approved Mayor Bloomberg's large sugary drink ban. They all took a lesson from the playbook of the Panel for Educational Policy.

Lisa
Upper East Side

Do supporters of the soda ban really think that the restrictions will make people stop drinking soda? This is just another nanny government attempt to butt into people's lives. A caller last night said that this was a ploy by Bloomberg to create more tax revenue when people buy more than one soda to get the desired number of servings. I hadn't thought of that, but knowing the evil emperor that makes perfect sense! It is not the government's place to tell people what to consume. If Abate and all these other health experts were legitimately concerned about public health, they would be focusing on making fresh, healthy food available and affordable to all New Yorkers. Many people purchase junk food and sugary drinks because they are inexpensive.

Janelle
Washington Heights

If the mayor was so concerned about the kids of New york he would make share that they had Gym is school which is mandated by the state also he would not close all the after school programs and recreation centers

How about all that sugar in ice cream? candy? pre-packaged food? even pizza contains sugar !!! Instead he should approach all the big companies and suggest they should cut 50 % on the sugar they add to everything we eat?? better than his idea

In my opinion, this ban on large drinks is just a grain of salt, nothing is going to change, that's NOT how you fix the obesity problem, you can lead a horse to the water but you cannot make him drink.

I never drink soda, I love my H2O

Carmen
Bay Ridge

why are we still talking about this non-issue? anybody interested in what's going on in the middle east? this is not life and death. bloomberg will continue to do what he wants until the day he's booted out of office, unless Chris Quinn stages another coup in the city council to get him a 4th term.
enough already!

meryl
manhattan

I don't agree with the mayor's ban. I feel that he is, once again, being a dictator. People who work everyday for their money should be able to spend it as they wish.

Why not ban food stamps for paying for soda? It is not a "food". Tax dollars should not be paying for luxury food items. Food stamps are to help families eat nutritious food, not soda or red bull it cake.

Jenn
Astoria

My issue with the soda-size ban is that the Mayor is overstepping his authority. This sets a precedent, because later he is going to want to tell us how to dress, what to watch, where to go... this sets a dangerous precedent.

Daniel
Sunnyside

I don't really care much about them banning large drinks or not. What bothers me is the fact this isn't a public vote. Why or how do our officials get away with making these kind of choices for the public without asking the publics opinion. I know so many people that are over weight and it has nothing to do with big drinks. They consume alot more food then normal, whether it is good or bad. More tends to increase the waist. This isn't a country that is based on what a few people think is right or wrong, it is based on the ideal that people can choose what they wish to do. I think it is stupid he will ban a large soda, but he has no problem with alcohol in places like stadiums, etc. Atleast the one drinking the large soda will get home alive. He stopped smokers, now he wants to stop big drinks.

Oh well, I didn't vote him into office,

James
Eltingville

It makes me sick to listen to New Yorkers arguing for the right to literally drink themselves to death, yet when President Bush the Patriot Act these same soda guzzling callers were to sugared up to care.

He's making us to buy 2 cups instead of one. This has nothing to do with your health. Bloomberg is doubling revenue for the city. He's even said it multiple times, you can buy more cups of soda. Plus Bloomberg is effecting the environment causing more garbage when you buy two 16 oz cups.

1. People that are overweight are that way because of everything they eat and lack of activity. Not simply soda.
2. It should be illegal for them to limit what I as a consumer buy and want to consume. He is being a dictator and not a mayor that was elected by the people.
3. We still need to remember that this is not happening until March and that is plenty of time for this to be fought in court and hopefully won by those that want their simple freedom to chose what and how much they want to drink.

Trina
Queens

It's very unfair that a family cannot buy a large soda to share and will have to spend much more on several small sodas. This ban discriminates against low income families.

Debbie
Flushing

While I welcome Mayor Bloomberg's good intention for initiating this positive move to reduce obesity, Diabetes and the associated complications, I am of the view that intensifying awareness and insight of our community especially the young ones towards positive health choices/behaviors such as food, exercise, is more important than reducing the sugary drinks. There is no way to monitor how many of the small portions of sugary drinks an individual consumes in a day. It is not like using a credit card or running the traffick light and one is easily cut by the computer or the camera. there is no way we can monitor this, so it really would not be much effective in reducing obesity and Diabetes.
Infact, we have a lot of things to chnagel in this New York community alone. think of the proliferation of Deli shops at almost every other building on the street, with pictures of sandwiches and other food that catch the eyes easily. No one is controlling the calorie contents of these food; yet a larger population of New Yorkers buy from them. Can we also look into these uncontrolled food shops? A lot of things are wrong!!!!.

AngyN

i dont understand the ban on soda why doesnt bloomberg ban people from smoking ciggarrettes in public i have a giving right to drink soda but i shouldnt have to inhale somebodies smoke which causes cancer, their doing things backwards

Raymond
The Bronx

We approve of the Mayor's proposal. We all bear the costs of the illnesses that afflict the obese. And there is no doubt that consumption of large amounts of sugar leads to obesity. Why is it alright to ban smoking in public places, which causes all of us to suffer the effects of second-hand smoke, but not to ban the sale of immense bottles of sugar water (which is what these 'beverages' are)?

It is nobody's constitutional right to smoke our presence, and it is nobody's constitutional right to purposely impose avoidable health costs on us. Unavoidable health costs are another matter.

Betty and Robert
Forest Hills

The Mayor says by multi[ple cups, so much for being ECO friendly. What happen to reduce waste to be put in landfills.

Mayor Bloomberg is just a hhater, becayse he is too short and can only drink kiddy size drinks.

Wendy
Jamaica

I am for choice, you want to drink that 32 oz, fine, go ahead and get fat however morbid obese people will develop heart disease quicker, get diabetes and so on. In the end they will either raise my premium for health insurance or drain money from the taxes I am paying because they use medicaid. Therefore I can understand why the mayor is trying to put a stop to these large sodas.

I initially disagreed with the ban. However....these "choices" cause serious health problems and those health problems end up costing tax paying New Yorkers a lot of money. I don't want to pay for the nearly 6,000 New Yorkers who die a slow, obesity related death every year.

Dan
Manhattan

What happen to Freedom of Speech? Probably, Mayor Bloomberg bought a soda cup company and that would another way of him making money!

Paige
Jamaica

What a joke follow the law reach a certain age stress midlife crisis. Whom's to say at 36 yrs of age one does not gain weight from soda sweets ( king size) by the time one sees end results of this the magic in-plant pill R F to your smart phone will be in place which will limit your ability on every day purchases and grocery shopping start investing in maple grow one world currency 3.5 yrs away then we can all be green.

Has Mayor Bloomberg ever heard of Prop 65 in California? The best way to regulate an issue like this is through information dissemination, not restriction of freedom of choice. Put labels! Put pictures of obese information! Educate people, don't just assume that they can't make a choice themselves.

Andrew
Manhattan

The government should not be telling me how much to drink, if alcohol and tobacco are not banned.

This is a freedom of choice issue how could the panel forget the prohibition. Any modification is still a prohibition.

Who wants to buy more soda to equal what you would have gotten before for a minimal cost, one cup holder, more trips to the concession stand. What's next shutting down the soda industry because it's not healthy?

We move New York

E. Benjamin

This is absolutely absurd. I am amazed at how people are not realizing this is taking away our rights to choose. I agree that obesity and health is a concern, however, it is up to the parents and individual to choose to lead those lifestyles... it is not up to the mayor or government to make that choice for us by limiting our options. I am a 38 year old women who grew up drinking lots of soda but changed that on my own so I currently choose not to drink it. I am not overweight nor was I ever, but I still feel that the choice is ours to make. What's next? We can't go in buy ice cream without it being 1 scoop at a time or on Halloween will people not be able to give out candy anymore?

The people that agree with the mayor are cowards and using it as a crutch because they either don't have the willpower to make that choice for themselves or are wimps and don't want to be the bad guy telling their children what to eat or drink.

I agree with the caller Geri from Bay Ridge... she is absolutely correct.

Monica
Fairview, NJ

If Bloomberg was so concerned about our health, why doesn't he ban these huge cans of beer that are sold at stores as well, as if alcohol is so healthy for us. Do only soft drinks fall under his restrictions where beer and other types of liquor do not?

Brian
Richmond Hill

It is a good move. Some people just need to be led by the hand to lead a healthy life. Good for you, Mayor Bloomberg for having the courage to go against the grain of people for their welfare.

Beth

The mayor thinks that by banning the sodas people are suddenly going to get skinnier, no that's no longer the case, people state that you can buy more then one soda and yes people can buy more then one, but it all comes down to their lifestyles and diets. People eat all they want people will drink all the sugar they can consume if they choose to do so, if a person really wants to be healthy and lose weight, they will diet and exercise, i haven't had a soda bigger then 16 oz and that's because i choose not to intake it, again it comes down to if the person wants to lead a healthy life style or if they choose not to, i can see an increase of obesity since people will buy more and more drinks to fulfill that craving they get.

Tulio

Seriously, whats the big deal?? I'm an avid soda drinker and I don't care to have large portions of it because I drink from cans mostly. We all know it's bad for our health, why would people get so hyped up for this issue? At the end of the day there is a major effect on healthcare because of our poor choices (mine included) and that in turn affects healthcare costs, so anything that can bring that cost down by all means do it!!

Sue
Corona

Obesity is an issue our nation and city is faced with, but if the Mayor thinks that limiting what we eat is the way to solve it, he might as well extend the "soda ban" to other foods. How about we limit the size of a bag of chips or the number of slices in a pie. Soda is just one variable in the large equation of obesity. What we need is more education. More education in the schools and more education in the homes. That is the correct way to cure the obesity problem we face.

Yehuda

Bloomberg's intentions are good. People are just emotional about the weight issue. I'm 27 and I've been 5'5 120lbs for the past 10 yrs and I haven't gained weight but that doesn't mean I'm healthier than the highschool girl that's 5'5 and 175lbs. I could very well look good but be costing the city money because I can't manage my sugar consumption and be suffering from diabetes. people need to stop taking things so personal. Diabetes and high cholesterol go hand in hand and they don't discriminate against gender weight or race..

Hi, I'm visiting from Japan.

Don't New Yorkers realize how obese they are?

58% of them are obese, they say.

Too much soda, too much french fries, too much fried food is to blame for sure!

Freedom for what they eat and drink? Come on!

There's food shortage, there are peope starving in the world.

Think about it.

I drink a small diet soda four,five times a year.

We Asians drink a lot of (bitter)tea. Soda is poison!

AKIKO
Woodside

does he not have a job to do instead of talking about no soda so what, what we drink now a days. Why don't he band smoking and drinking liqor?

Rosemary

I was recently out of the city visting a town that did not have calorie counts on the menu. I had no idea what to order. Policies like this inform the public and provide the education need in the fight against obesity. Restricting the public's choice is not the solution. And for the people that think we are arguing over a stupid issue, we will see what they say when they take the next step and restrict [fill in the blank].

Nathan
Bay Ridge

this is ridiculous. people are going to drink as much soda as they want anyway. it's all for show. let bloomberg bring back gym, art and music classes if he cares so much about kids.

Meryl
Manhattan

I think this is another way for the mayor to get back some money. I just give birth to a csection baby and my baby didn't want breast milk, the nurse states to me that major Bloomberg wants all woman to breast Feed so that why they only give one bottle every serving. Not only does he want to dictate how we feed our babies now he wants want we intake. So much focus on beverage instead of focus on better programs for kids.

so the mayor would rather us drink two 16 oz cups of soda which is 32oz at the movies than one 20oz. how does that make sense.?

As a visitor from Australia I am appalled at the portion size of foods & drinks here in the US.There is promotion of low fat / no fat but in fact the less fat the more sugar. Surely food and drink portions don't need to be as big - it not about value for money but more about the amount a person needs.I agree with the mayor in trying to limit the amount of sugar that people consume. At the end of the day it about people's health, the result being diabetes and many other health related diseases.Unless someone takes a stand people will continue on the road to self destruction.

Jacquie

I think the soda ban misses the mark, although well intentioned.
People will just go back and buy another drink and some places offer free refills. I think that there should be legislation that limits the amount of sugar that can be in sodas and fruit drinks. I think that sugar is as bad as any drug and that it is addicting. Like drugs the amount that we take needs to be regulated not by size of the drink but by the amount of sugar per ounce of liquid. Some sodas have 65 grams of sugar in a 20 oz bottle of soda. The department of health should find a medically acceptable way to reduce the amount
of sugar to be in these drinks.

Heyliger

I honestly think that Bloomberg should stop worrying about what people digest and worry about more serious issues more like the polution of the our train stations public areas and citys.!

Crystal, sunset

Give me the information, but I have the last word!! This whole thing is absolutely outrageous. Who will subsidize/pay the increase in price inflicted on us for this action? I frequently buy a 20 oz. bottle of some form of vitamin water. Don't drink it all right away. Usually share some with my child and then put the rest in the fridge for later or the next day. Costs less to carry!! When someone is out and out denied something, the will/desire/interest is heightened. It is human nature! Here goes another scenario of Bloomberg lining someone's pockets. Such as the construction industry redoing all the streets to increase traffic by removing lanes and making bad blind spots for drivers and negatively inflicting on and impacting the residential general public. Another example is how street artists and other street vendors were removed and/or prohibited from selling in their long-standing spots they were able to make enough to pay bills and are now struggling and being forced to financial subsidy. In these financial hard times, compassion is the normal that should be expected! The rich get richer and play puppeteer with others lives.

LL== the Village

When will people learn? Prohibition in any form does not work. People always find a way to beat it. Government has no business telling me what to eat or drink. I don’t believe it’s Constitutional and, if there is a law suit, I believe it will succeed. If Bloomberg really cared about the health of our citizens, where was he when our hospitals began to close? Why didn’t he open his mouth when St. Vincent’s closed? Does he really believe that fewer obese people will balance out the need for growing hospital care? He’s more concerned about spreading the wealth among his developer friends who benefit when hospitals close and they are converted to condos.

My suggestion to retailers who sell soda is that they offer two 10 oz. drinks for the price of one large drink and call it The Bloomberg Special!

Jay
Greenwich Village

Portion control it shouldnt be the size of the cup it should be whats inside the cup Close down the sugar factory what about bugdet why pay 2.00 for 2 smalls cup of drink when we can just pay 1.00 for a big one.

Anabel