Mayor Defends Proposal to Ban Large Sugary Drinks

Two-liter bottles of regular and diet soda are seen for sale at a Manhattan store on May 31, in New York City. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing a ban on sodas and sugary drinks that are more than 16 ounces in an effort to combat obesity. Diet sodas would not be covered by the ban and many grocery stores would be exempt. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

NEW YORK—Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended his proposal to ban large sugary drinks in New York eateries Tuesday, citing New York’s expanding obesity problems.

Bloomberg said around 5,800 New Yorkers die from obesity-related health problems every year, and the number of deaths is likely to rise. He also said medical bills for obesity-related treatments total as much as $4 billion in New York City.

Bloomberg’s proposal suggests that the maximum size for sugary drinks in eateries should return to 16 ounces. Beverages with more than 25 calories per 8 ounces are considered sugary drinks.

“In New York City nearly 60 percent of adults and nearly 40 percent of children are overweight or obese and there are real world consequences,” Bloomberg said in a press release.

Rallying support for his proposal, Bloomberg was joined at the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx by a number of public officials, including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

“New Yorkers don’t like to be told what to do... [but] the public health officials and elected officials have to step up, educate, and make controversial proposals so we can all learn more about this issue,” Stringer said.

The obesity problem is also affecting New York’s youth. Dr. Thomas Farley, the city’s health commissioner, said he gets upset each time he sees an overweight child.

“I get angry because none of it is his fault, his suffering is entirely preventable,” Farley said, adding that it is unfair to ask a child to overcome million dollar marketing campaigns.

He said New Yorkers “have the right” to drink sugary drinks, but should be given a warning to signal the maximum amount of sugar the human body should take in.

Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs, and Montefiore Hospital CEO Steve Sayfer, also attended the conference to support the mayor’s proposal.

According to a recent NY1-Marist poll, more New Yorkers reject the proposed drink size reduction than those that welcome it. The poll says that 53 percent of New Yorkers surveyed believe the government is going too far, while another 42 percent believe the reduction will have healthy outcomes.

The poll also found that of the New Yorkers surveyed who want to lose weight, 51 percent believe the mayor’s proposal is a bad idea.

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