New York\'s Ban on Sale of Big

New York's Ban On Sale Of Big Size Soda

New York's plan to enact a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks as a way of combating obesity is questionable. The government has no valid reason to dictate the size the soda and sugary drinks in the market. The size of soda and other sugary drinks does not get sugar out of the equation; it only makes people pay more for these drinks. If sugar is the real issue, then the best option would be to reduce the amount of sugar in the soda and maintain the sizes of the drinks. It appears the government is using the obesity issue to arm-twist businesses thereby violating their rights. This seems more like a plan to compromise the principle of liberty rather than control sugar consumption. The success of this plan could be an indication of government's influence and ability to dictate the products the citizens must buy in order to stay healthy or lose weight. The initiation of force on businesses by the government is detrimental to the economy. Instead, the government needs to provide a conducive environment for business to develop innovation, produce affordable products and thrive. In addition, government noninterference enables citizens to make beneficial choices. Therefore, New York City is using the obesity issue to overstep the boundary of protection of both individual and business rights.

Nonetheless, the reliability, credibility and validity of the data used in the study Dr. Thomas Farley referred to is questionable. Dr. Farley claims that people living in areas with high soda consumption were obese. This suggests a direct relationship between soda consumption and obesity. A study conducted by Espinel and Innes-Hughes (2010), contradicts Dr. Thomas's references. This study, which is a continuous update for monitoring overweight and obesity n Australia reveal that the country has made substantial changes in diet over 40 years. There has been a tremendous decrease in consumption of sugar (Espinel & Innes-Hughes, 2010). Metherell ( 2012), in an article quotes Sydney University nutritionist Jennie Brand-Miller as saying that sugar is not to blame for obesity. Miller in a study conducted in collaboration with Dr. Barclay claims that sugar has no relationship with obesity. They detail that despite the fact that sugar consumption decreased by 16% in 23 years leading to 2003, obesity on the other hand has tripled.

Evidence suggests that obesity rates especially in the developed countries are functions of socioeconomic status. Drewnowski (2007), assert that high rates of obesity are common in groups with lower educational and income levels as well as among racial, ethnic minorities and poor neighbourhoods.