Majority of New Yorkers Against Soda Ban Proposal

Only 36% of residents surveyed agree that allowing the city to regulate soda consumption is a good idea.

August 24, 2012

NEW YORK CITY - A new poll finds that 60% of New Yorkers oppose Mayor Michael Bloomberg€™s proposal to ban large soft drinks, the New York Times reports. Six in 10 residents are against the plan, compared with 36% who think it would be good for the city. The city€™s health panel has indicated it will okay the ban on Sept. 13.

Survey respondent Liz Hare spoke for the majority in a follow-up interview: "The ban is at the point where it is an infringement of civil liberties. €¦ There are many other things that people do that aren€™t healthy, so I think it€™s a big overreach."

Her comments echoed the soft drink industry€™s stance on the proposal. The industry has aggressively campaigned against the measure.

Those for the ban agreed with Bloomberg€™s assertion that sugary drinks contributed to obesity and diabetes in city residents. "The public health issue is so serious that any disincentive to consume sugary drinks in large amounts, I would support," said Sharon Williams "I see it as a public health issue. I don€™t see it as a civil liberties issue because if people want the option of having more soda at one time they can do that, they can buy two."

The poll also showed the ban would disproportionately affect Hispanic and African American residents, who indicated they drank sugary soft drinks more than whites. Diet drinks are not as popular among New Yorkers.

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