New York, NY, May 31, 2012 New York City Mayor Bloomberg s proposed ban on the sale of soda servings and most other sweetened beverages over 16 ounces is the most egregious foray yet in his war on sugary drinks, notes the American Council on Science and Health.
The basis for Bloomberg s proposal is his contention that soda is a major contributor to the obesity epidemic, and therefore should be regulated more stringently than other sources of calories. According to New York Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, sweetened drinks are to blame for up to half of the increase in New York City s obesity rates over the last 30 years.
But ACSH Executive and Medical Director Dr. Gilbert L. Ross points out that obesity rates have actually stabilized over the past few years, and research demonstrates that there is no correlation between per capita soda consumption and weight.
There is no solid evidence showing that restricting sodas to a certain size will have the slightest impact on obesity, said Dr. Ross. In addition, enforcement of such a regulation will not only be extremely complex, but it will also be very costly and difficult to interpret because of the confusing exceptions to the proposed ban.
Most New Yorkers want the Mayor and his officials to stop micromanaging every aspect of their lives, including what beverages they re allowed to drink and in what amounts, notes ACSH President Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. This is one of the most frightening proposals to come out of the Bloomberg administration in terms of government overreach. This time he has really gone too far and is sure to rile nearly every New Yorker.
ACSH is a non-profit group based in New York City that is backed by a Scientific Advisory Board of nearly 400 prominent physicians and scientists, and dedicated to ensuring that sound science prevails in our personal and public health policies and decisions.