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Urge to Limit Supersized Sodas Comes to Boston Area

First, New York. Now, Cambridge and possibly even Brookline are mulling the idea of legally restricting the size of some sodas as a way to fight the obesity problem. What do you think?

 

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg kind of started it: proposing the city restrict the size of certain sodas sold in the city as a way to tackle what doctors say are soaring obesity rates.

It sure does  make for good comedy; The Daily Show's Jon Stewart loves pointing out that under Bloomberg's proposal, a small amount of marijuana would elicit a bigger fine than a Big Gulp.

Yet, does Bloomberg have a point?

Is taking at least one small regulatory step toward solving the obesity problem worth considering? Or is it an at-first hilarious, but then on-second-thought rather ominous governmental overreach?

Now the mayor of Cambridge has proposed her city study the idea. And last night, at the Brookline Board of Selectmen meeting, there was fleeting mention of the idea; the Boston Globe reports that Brookline "may also debate whether to limit the sale of soft drinks at its Town Meeting this fall."

Could a soft drink restriction be coming to your town? If so, what do you think about that? Let us in the poll and in the comments section below.

Related Topics: Obesity, big gulp, and soda ban

Michael R. Landers

11:23 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012

This ban is a "colossal" waste of time. Time better spent educating consumers to the health dangers of drinking too much soda. People who purchase large sodas will smply buy additional smaller sodas to fulfill their craving.
Perhaps an expanded bottle bill would ultimately help a lot more people.

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Casey Meserve

11:54 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012

I agree Mike. People have the right to buy what they wish. I just wish people didn't want to buy a gallon of soda.

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c k

10:49 am on Friday, July 20, 2012

I think if your over 300 lbs and you drove to the store in your car, you should be limited to a small. If your skinny and healthy and you just rode your bike 3 miles to get a drink, get a big gulp. I just hope they don't make eating a pint of chubby hubby illeagal......or a Wendys triple baconator...............at that point I'll have to jump off the bourne bridge.......If I can get through the traffic. lol

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