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N.Y. state judge rules Bloomberg's soda ban illegal
The ban limiting the size of a single-sized serving of sugary beverages in New York City was scheduled to begin on March 12.
Mon, Mar 11 2013 at 4:11 PM
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Photo: Ian Wilson/Flickr
CNBCis reporting breaking news that New York City’s controversial soda ban that was championed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and set to go in effect tomorrow has been ruled illegal. Justice Milton Tingling called the ban “arbitrary and capricious.”
Even here at MNN the soda ban caused (friendly) differences of opinion. Our lifestyle blogger Starre thought the soda ban was a good idea and that it would help curb obesity. Our family blogger Jenn thought the soda ban was well-intentioned but over-reaching.
The ban, which was called a soda ban or surgary drink ban by most in the media wasn’t actually a ban on the beverages. It was ban on large sizes, more than 16-ounce servings of sugary drinks.
The New York Times reported yesterday that many restaurants, movie theaters, stadiums and cafes were not going to put the smaller-size limit into practice just yet. They were going to wait out a three-month grace period that was to allow places to make adjustments and hope that in those three months, the legal challenges to the ban would prevail. Starbucks said it wasn’t going to make the changes at all, with officials saying they didn’t think their drinks fell under the guidelines.
It looks like no one will have to make the the time being, and drinkers in New York City can down as much of the sugary beverage of their choice as they wish. Mayor Bloomberg has announced that he plans to appeal the court's decision and he believes the lower court decisions will be overuled.
Do you agree with the judge that the ban was arbitrary, capricious and illegal or do you wish the ban had been upheld?
The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.
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Ever since this law was revealed, I thought it was absolutely absurd. Banning large sugary drinks won't prevent or even slow America's obesity endemic; it'll just anger people. I find it very out of line for someone to tell you what you can or cannot eat/drink (besides alcohol). Instead of concentrating on this legislature, the governor really should pool money into PSAs about obesity and problems associated with it. He'd certainly make a bigger impact with that.
Like many politicians/elitists, Bloomberg is out of order.
I think the judge is correct. While I can sympathize with all the overweight people in the US (being one myself), prohibiting sales of beverages over 16 oz will not solve the problem. If I want a 32 oz beverage, it is my choice and not Mayor Blumberg's. If he only wants a 16 oz drink, fine. I think he has the right to limit HIS beverages. He does NOT have the right to limit my choice. So, he can have his 16 oz drink with his $50 steak and I'll have my 40 oz drink with my burger.