Bloomberg's Faulty Sugar Ban

If you haven't heard already, NYC's Mayor Bloomberg is proposing a ban on the sale of sugary soft drinks over 16 ounces sold in restaurants, theaters, stadiums, delis and food carts. Even though I am not a sugar proponent, I am against his proposal for a variety of reasons.

1. Poorly Thought Out Proposal
It's not just soda that contains a lot of sugar. Your multiple Starbucks drinks though out the day and morning fruit juice might be just as bad or worse. Why is he only proposing a ban on soft drinks? If drink makers want to get you the same sugar fix, they can just concentrate more sugar in smaller sizes. Why not restrict the amount of sugar per serving versus the number of fluid ounces one consumes?

2. Environmentally Irresponsible
I thought we were trying to reduce packaging. Now consumers will buy two cans to get their normal fix from one, thus adding to the environmental burden.

3. Invasion of Personal Liberties
No one wants to be told what they can and can't consume, much less from their government. If this ban passes, what will be next?

4. Doesn't Solve the Root Problem
Maybe Bloomberg should be asking why people are consuming so much sugar and unhealthy food in the first place? People are self-medicating with quick sugar highs, as well as starch, alcohol, tobacco and other forms of serotonin increasing, anxiety decreasing substances because we are deprived of social nutrients such as being listened to and valued as human beings. When we are nourished emotionally, we feel better, eat less and do more. Georgianna Donadio says it best in her article "Banning Supersize Sodas Isn't the Answer."

I think Bloomberg's heart is in the right direction for wanting to help his fellow citizens, but this proposal needs much more analytic thinking.

 Photo: Chang W. Lee