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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 

But.

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.

  • Should Boston-area communities legally limit supersized sodas?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • You must be kidding; that is ridiculous government overreach.
        9 (64%)
    • It's about time! Big Gulps and their ilk are not only an embarrassment, but should be outlawed. Bring it on.
        2 (14%)
    • Government action may not be the best way, but something needs to be done to address the rise in obesity.
        3 (21%)
    • Other; tell us in the comments.
        0 (0%)
    Total votes: 14
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Big Gulp regulation, Brookline soda regulations, Brookline soda size restrictions, MA soda ban, NYC soda ban, soda ban, soda restrictions, and sugary drink ban

Andrew Ghobrial

8:35 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012

This is absurd. When I drafted a warrant article in Fall 2009 to post caloric information on menu boards I was trying to help educate consumers and it was up to them to choose. This proposal goes too far. I say educate and help people make better decisions but DO NOT police them and tell them what and how much to consume. Brookline law makers maybe my warrant article was not too bad after all; maybe we ought to start there first...

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