NY’s soda ban gets ‘cool reception’

As Peach Report has reported, the city’s mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed a ban on sodas larger than 16 ounces in restaurants and bars. “Bloomberg’s proposal… has met with a cool reception.”

But Bloomberg has defended his plans, tweeting: “More than half of NYC adults (58%) are overweight or obese. We’re doing something about it.” He also points to research suggesting a close relationship between the consumption of sugary drinks and body mass index.

But some observers have pointed out that links like these are not always correct. “This is not to suggest that mainlining Mountain Dew has no ill effects, only that it may be too early to make a sound scientific case for this sort of soft paternalism,” says the Economist.

For the full story, see Civilising thirst.