In an effort to combat rising obesity, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a far-reaching ban on the sale of large sodas and other "sugary drinks" on May 30. At the All Things Digital conference today in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Mayor Bloomberg addressed the proposed ban via a remote feed.
Mayor Bloomberg highlighted several public health acts that were at first unpopular but are now embraced, such as those against public smoking and grading restaurants.
The new ban would not apply to grocery or convenience stores, but will affect businesses such as restaurants, movie theaters, and street carts.
According to Bloomberg, smoking kills seven thousand New Yorkers per year, but that rate is dropping. In comparison, there are five thousand obesity related deaths per year in NYC, a total which is rising and will soon surpass smoking deaths. New York City was a pioneer in banning smoking in public places, beginning a trend that the rest of the United States soon followed.
When the news broke last night, Twitter users from New York City and beyond reacted with an expected level of witty candor.
[View the story "NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg Proposes Ban On Large Sugary Drinks" on Storify]NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg Proposes Ban On Large Sugary DrinksOur favorite reactions across Twitter, compiled by Stephanie Haberman (@StephLauren).Storified by Mashable · Thu, May 31 2012 12:22:43Why Bloomberg is attempting to ban large sugary drinks:Prohibiting the sale of 16 oz.+ sugary drinks will help fight #obesity & save lives in NYC: http://bit.ly/JTq4UiMike BloombergHow people on Twitter have responded:The Prisoner, New York City edition: "I am not a number! I am a free man! And I'm drinking a Big Gulp!"John HaywardBIG APPLE, TINY COKEsouthpawThese colors don't run. http://twitpic.com/9r5m61Andrew KaczynskiI stand with the Mayor on soda restrictions. We all share the cost of an unhealthy city. Also ban bicycles because cyclists are a-holesDr. Mantis Toboggan Bloomberg can ban sugary drinks but he'll never take my Diet Coke. (really, he could, my grip is weak bc of osteoporosis from the aspartame)Alison LeibyYo soy want to ban el soda, el grande Starbuckos, y el grape drink. Por que no me gusto el obesity. Que no fatties!Miguel BloombitoSoda ban means Kobayashi can eat 70 hot dogs in 10 min - but he breaks the law once if he washes them down with a lg soda instead of a med.Michael BietteEven if you disagree with Bloomberg's giant soda ban, he's trying to do something about obesity epidemic. Good for him.Lisa BloomHeck, they gave up banning ALCOHOL 80 years ago. Now NYC is gonna ban large soda's. Glad to see we've progressed.Brady CremeensI will give my money 2 any establishment that violates this. RT @nytimes: Bloomberg Plans a Ban on Large Sugared Drinks http://nyti.ms/LHRWt1Andy LevyTake that, Mr. Mayor? $KO $PEP down but holding up better than rest of market despite NYC/Bloomberg talk of banning big-sized soda. $DPS up.Paul R. La MonicaBloomberg smiled for photos as the axes went into the crates of cola. "Dr. Pepper," he said sternly. "Your medical license is revoked."Jon Lovett@bigjohnrc I mean. We could talk about the fiscal cli— hey look a ban on soda! #importantissuesChris WToo bad everyone who wants large sodas is too obese to organize a march.Andrew KaczynskiWhy do they have to ban soda? Why can't they ban something nobody cares about, like "Don't Walk" signs? #NYCTrivWorksKinda hope Bloomberg DOES ban sodas over 16 oz so I can get a good bootleg business going. #entrepreneursFTWLeah
Is the proposed ban a good idea? Let us know in the poll below, or explain further in the comments.