New York led the way for municipal smoking bans. It was among the first cities to require that chain restaurants post calorie counts on their menus. Now, New York City hopes to start a new trend by banning sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces.
The City’s Board of Health approved the ban on an 8-0 vote on Thursday, creating a new way for the city to combat obesity. Beginning March 2013, restaurants, street vendors, and movie theaters will be prohibited from service any sugary drink – defined as a drink that is sweetened by sugar or caloric sweetener with more than 25 calories per 8 fluid ounces. A separate definition was established for milk-based products.
The ban will not impact the size or sales of diet sodas, milk shakes, or sweetened lattes.
Beginning in June 2013, the city will begin issuing citations to offending vendors. However, how inspectors will tell the difference between a diet soda and a regular soda may prove difficult.
Studies have shown that 58 percent of New Yorkers and 40 percent of New York public school students are obese.
Read the full story at the Wall Street Journal.