In March of 2012, the City of New York implemented a new law banning the sale of soft drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces. This law regulates the sale of "Big Sodas" by businesses that fall under the jurisdiction of NYC's Board of Health. These businesses include restaurants, fast-food chains, theaters, delis, and office cafeterias. Health officials and others called for the ban to help combat the obesity problem that exists in America today.
This ban may act as a wake up call for obese people, but I don't think this ban will significantly improve the health of NYC's general public. Banning large containers of soda is not a ban on soda. Without educating the people of NYC about obesity, its causes and the problems created by it, a ban on large size containers of one contributing factor is not likely to help. The city did not ban the substance that contributes to obesity, only the amount of the substance you can buy at one time. Additionally, I find it difficult to understand why soda is the only substance, which has been restricted. God forbid they ban the triple whopper cheeseburger smothered in bacon. Again banning the containers and not the actual soda, the link to obesity, seems to miss the mark.
As the ban only applies to businesses that fall under the jurisdiction of NYC's Board of Health, supermarkets and most convenience stores are exempt. This loophole allows businesses such as 7-11 and K-mart to continue to sell the big gulp and supersized drinks. This is a major flaw within this poorly crafted law. Why ban drink containers in some places and not others? True enough, people would seem more likely to consume more soda while eating in a restaurant, than off the shelf at a grocery, but isn't consistent application of this law across all businesses in the best health interests of the public? If this law were truly about public health, the need for consistent application of the law across all businesses would seem obvious. If a thirty-two ounce or better yet a sixty-four ounce drink container is considered harmful at McDonalds, it's probably harmful off the shelf at Safeway, too.
I think the idea of banning soda containers, as a way to limit one’s exposure to a potential health risk is a poor idea. If we are serious about the health impacts of drinking soda then I think the ban must be made on the actual soda rather than the containers it comes in. Our real effort should be aimed at educating the American public about the obesity epidemic and its causes. Although this ban has good intentions, I think the ban will be viewed as a nuisance to the American public, rather than an influence on Americans’ health. As a compromise, I think a tax on soda would be more appropriate then a ban on the container. Let's not get rid of soda entirely, instead tax folks who drink soda, and use the monies to educate the public. I believe a tax on soda would better deter consumption and provide funds to educate the public on the ills of soda and obesity.