Anytime you can order a 20-ounce beer, but you can't get a 20-ounce Coke; a regulation has gone awry.
Under the first-of-its-kind prohibition approved by the city Board of Health last year, establishments from restaurants to mobile food carts can't sell sugary drinks larger than 16 oz. After a three-month grace period, the city will fine violators $200 per sale.
The ban applies to all non-diet sodas, energy drinks, fruit drinks or sweetened teas that are less than 50 % milk or milk substitute and have more than 25 calories for every 8 ounces. It does not apply to to alcoholic beverages or low-calorie drinks (25 calories or fewer per 8 ounces) including diet sodas, water, unsweetened coffees and teas or vegetable and fruit juices without added sugar.
While I absolutely agree with the need to fight obesity, I am not sure this is the way to do it. Already, lawyers are thinking of clever ways to get around it. One establishment is already offering buy one get one free deals for soda which in essence allows for 20-ounce of Soda. (clever)
Our politicians need to rethink their goals in how they draft legislation. The only people this legislation is going to hurt is the owners of small business who NYC Dept. of Health is going to fine. I can think of many different ways to attack obesity without fines.
Start public health earlier on in elementary school; increase the amount of physical education in schools; or offer tax incentives for gyms. The problem with the fine system is 99% of the time it is used as a means for increasing revenue when the city needs it as opposed to a means to cure an actual health epidemic.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324662404578332602130776308.html?mod=e2tw
