Boston Bans Sugary Drinks - Polidicks

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH28m-dvkU4&feature=feedu[/media] [quote]BOSTON (CBS) – Mayor Tom Menino issued an executive order to ban the sale of sugary drinks on Boston city property on Thursday. “I want to make this a healthier choice, the easier choice in people’s daily lives, whether it’s the schools, the work sites or other places in the community,” Menino said. WBZ-TV’s Jim Smith reports The mayor’s office, along with the Boston Public Health Commission, said Menino is issuing this order because of the link between sugary drinks and rising obesity rates and health care costs. “There are high costs associated with these high rates of unhealthy weight, both at the personal level in terms of poor health outcomes, and at the societal level in terms of decreases in worker productivity and the rising health care costs,” said Barbara Ferrer of the Boston Public Health Commission. The order “sets science-based standards for what’s considered a healthy beverage and what can be sold or served on City property,” according to a city press release. The policy applies to cafeterias, vending machines, concession stands, and beverages served at meetings, City-run programs, and events where food is purchased with City dollars. Back in 2004, Menino banned soda and junk food from being sold in public school vending machines, and now he’s taking his battle city-wide. “Now is the time to expand our efforts that began in our public schools and set an example for the city as a whole,” Mayor Menino said, referring to the 2004 ban. The mayor hopes the city takes steps over the next six months to phase out the sale of the sugary beverages, which are labeled in three categories: RED BEVERAGES After a six-month grace period, city buildings will be required to phase out the sale of these so-called “red” beverages, like: Non-diet sodas Pre-sweetened ice teas Refrigerated coffee drinks Energy drinks Juice drinks with added sugar Sports drinks The promotion of these “red” beverages on City property will also be banned. YELLOW BEVERAGES The order allows for the sale of “yellow” beverages, but advises consumers to drink them occasionally: Diet sodas Diet iced teas 100 percent juices Low-calorie sports drinks Low-sugar sweetened beverages Sweetened soymilk Flavored, sweetened milk GREEN BEVERAGES These “green” beverages can continue to be sold: Bottled water Flavored and unflavored seltzer water Low-fat milk Unsweetened soymilk The Boston Public Health Commission has developed a guide for City workers and visitors to help them make a healthier choice, along with the slogan: “Stop. Rethink Your Drink. Go on Green.”[/quote] The video has more info.

No... No... Mountain Dew Throwback...

I understand trying to get your citizens to live more healthily BUT THIS IS NOT HOW YOU DO IT!

Now there's gonna be another Boston massacre.

We want people to make the right choice for their health! So we make the choice for them!

Boston soda party?

To be honest, and all of you probably think I'm over reacting by saying this, but I would start a riot if something like this happened where I live.

This kind of regulation is the worst way to go about fixing a problem.

This is something I'd really expect from my nannystate of a country.

I don't see this working. Couldn't people just buy these drinks from places outside of Boston anyway?

I agree with them.

Regulation =/= Education. Teach people about healthier alternatives and the ramifications of drinking too many sugary drinks while at the same time making the healthier options cheaper and more accessible. Though I guess it isn't so bad considering it isn't really a citywide ban, rather a ban for vendors run by the city. Still, I think they could do better.

Well, this is kinda bordering on facist. 'We want people to make a healthy choice, so we're gonna force them to make it.' Land of the free.

[QUOTE=Fatman55;32154182]To be honest, and all of you probably think I'm over reacting by saying this, but I would start a riot if something like this happened where I live.[/QUOTE] This. If I want to drink myself to death on soda and other delicious beverages, then I should be able to.

This is stupid.

It's only on city property like parks and stuff but it's still fucking stupid.

[QUOTE=Fatman55;32154182]To be honest, and all of you probably think I'm over reacting by saying this, but I would start a riot if something like this happened where I live.[/QUOTE] And make yourself look even more stupid than the UK rioters? Blimey, that's worth a medal.

This is a horribly bad idea.

Breaking News: All Boston Based Game Companies Mysteriously Disappear Overnight.

[QUOTE=Sir Whoopsalot;32154237]And make yourself look even more stupid than the UK rioters? Blimey, that's worth a medal.[/QUOTE] The UK riots had no reason, but when you start regulating things like this it becomes a problem.

snip didn't read the article

fuck the police

They shouldn't be able to decide what people can and can't drink. It's my decision if I want to get a soda and eat unhealthy things. I don't mind them disapproving of people drinking the drinks, but banning them is just stupid, it's probably the worst way to "solve" this problem.

"Some fatasses don't bother to take care of themselves, therefore nobody gets to drink sugary drinks" That's fucking bullshit.

the problem isn't the choice in beverages. its the lack of exercise that makes people fat today. look back in the 50's. kids were eating shitloads of food that was terrible for them but playing outside every day until the sun went down. get up the next morning and do it all again.

Its only on city property, like parks and schools. Stores can still sell whatever they want.

BREAKING NEWS: Boston Population suffering from sugar withdrawal.

I've got a friend over from America talking about how great it is over there. I've been coonteracting his 'freedom' argument with the fact that such a thing as jaywalking exists. I'll be adding this to the list.

Maybe their fat fuck mayor should lose weight before telling everyone else to.

snippy snip snip