New York Times, others oppose NYC Mayor Bloomberg's ban on large sugary drinks

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June 4, 2012

New York Times, others oppose NYC Mayor Bloomberg's ban on large sugary drinks

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

In an editorial titled "A Ban Too Far," The New York Times joined a chorus of others including the National Restaurant Association and New York State Restaurant Association in decrying New York City Michael Bloomberg's proposed ban on large sugar-sweetened drinks in restaurants.

"Promoting healthy lifestyles is important ... But too much nannying with a ban might well cause people to tune out," the paper said of the mayor's May 30 proposal to prohibit restaurants from selling more than 16-ounce servings of many beverages.

"The administration should be focusing its energies on programs that educate and encourage people to make sound choices," according the the editorial.

Also weighing in: Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Mayor Bloomberg's large-soda ban would "combine the draconian government overreach people love with the probable lack of results they expect," Stewart said.

The National Restaurant Association strongly opposes the proposed ban and has joined forces with the New York State Restaurant Association and other groups to fight it. The proposal will be formally presented to the New York City Board of Health June 12, with a vote expected within three months.