New York City soda ban could affect Lawrence

The New York City soda ban is the first of its kind. No other city in the U.S. has tried to battle obesity by controlling citizens’ portion sizes. If the trend of New York health policies continues, within a few years the soda ban could be in effect in Lawrence.

TRANSCRIPT:

(Sound of person filling their drink at a soda fountain)

TARA BRYANT: Beginning March 12th, that sound of a 32 ounce soft drink dispensing will be foreign in New York City. Last month the New York City Board of Health approved a ban on the sale of sugary beverages larger than 16 ounces. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes to combat obesity with the soda ban.

Mr. MICHAEL BLOOMBERG: I don’t think that we should restrict you from drinking full sugar drinks. I do think we have an obligation to explain to you that that is not good for your health.

BRYANT: A majority of health professionals and scientists think sugary beverages such as soda are the single leading contributor to obesity. Junior Brittany Cade of Wichita agrees there’s a correlation between soda and obesity.

BRITTANY CADE: ‘Cause people don’t really realize how much sugar is in soda. So, they think that if it just says “diet” that it’s good for you, but it’s not.

BRYANT: New York’s smoking ban and the law requiring calories to appear on menus are two of Bloomberg’s health policies that have become standard codes of health in Lawrence. If previous New York health policies have made it out to the Midwest, it’s not unlikely that in a few years the soda ban could be effective in Lawrence. Junior Ryan Cyzman of East Lansing, Michigan thinks it’s unrealistic that the ban would come to Lawrence.

RYAN CYZMAN: Probably not, because it hasn’t really gained any traction and it’s had a lot of fallout from New York City.

TARA BRYANT: This is Tara Bryant for Health on the Hill.