Super-Size Soda Ban in Montgomery County? Probably Not.
County Health Officer: 'We are not thinking about it'
In an effort to curtail unhealthy drinking habits, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a ban on large-size sugary drinks at restaurants, street vendors and movie theaters last week.
Could a similar measure make its way to Montgomery County?
"We are not thinking about it," said Dr. Ulder Tillman, health officer for the county.
"We plan to observe the experience in New York to see how that goes, so we'll be monitoring that closely."
Tillman said limits on the size and concentration of sugary drinks are already in place in county public schools. Students are also not allowed to use vending machines during the school day.
In New York, Bloomberg wants to limit the sale of any cup or bottle of sweetened drink larger than 16 fluid ounces. Diet drinks, dairy drinks, fruit juices, coffee drinks and alcoholic beverages would not be affected. Sugary drinks would still be sold in grocery stores.
Bloomberg's proposal is likely to be approved and could take effect as early as March, according to the Times.
Tillman chairs the Healthy Montgomery steering committee, a community health improvement project. The committee is organizing two work groups to focus on obesity and behavioral health.
Do you think Montgomery County should institute such a ban? Tell us in the comments below.
Joe Thomas
6:46 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Instead could we just ban obese people? I'd like not to support their numerous visits to the doctor and the ER.
Diane Wright
9:36 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Please, NO BAN. Bloomberg is going a step too far. I know, for example, that some people (men especially) require more liquids/fluids and can easily drink the larger size and it does not affect their weight - my husband is an example. He would just have to buy two drinks to get sufficient liquids for hydration. I on the other hand drink diet sodas and even a small one is filling for me. Just posting something to call people's attention to the extra calories and sugar they are getting if they "super-size" should be sufficient.
Diane Plummer
10:14 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
Banning sugary drinks? Really? Why hasn't there been a ban on tobacco products? They are harmful to the health...causing numerous visits to the doctor and the ER.
Bob Hydorn
11:42 am on Thursday, June 7, 2012
All I can say is "WHAT NEXT- PIZZA"
This is nothing be foolish and a waste of time of the government.
Bora Mici
10:27 pm on Thursday, June 7, 2012
I like the idea of banning High Fructose Corn Syrup instead. Although banning the larger drinks might cut down on some plastic too. Overall it's a thoughtful gesture but does not go far enough. Including the tobacco ban in NYC, it seems like Bloomberg calculates the political threshold for the acceptance of his consumer regulations just palatable at inconvenience but not outright ban.
Bora Mici
1:39 am on Saturday, June 9, 2012
If Coca-Cola no longer practices a "stomach share" marketing strategy and doesn't market to kids under 12, then why are there more obese kids today than ever? Is it because the market has been skewed for too long toward subsidized unhealthy options? http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/former-coke-executive-slams-share-of-stomach-marketing-campaign/2012/06/07/gJQAKwgKMV_story.html
LaQuisa Johnson
8:50 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Who da hells is they think they is banning my kool aid n sugary dranks? Dey aint got no right to be doin this. shaking mah dam head cuase they only give me $3,400 a month and food be gittin expenzive.