Fuentes 1 Delmy Fuentes Professor Dursema English 1010 IEP Draft In the United States people drinks an average

of forty-five gallons of soda a year (Chan). The impacts of these statistics are bringing Americans to a serious health problem, Obesity which is linked with Diabetes and several other issues that can harm the overall health and that eventually can lead to death. ( Former mayor of New Yorks City Mayor Mike Bloomberg anti-sugar, anti-obesity initiative was proposed, where consumers have to pay more taxes when buying soda and therefore Americans supposed to limit their soda intake more than 16 ounces in various food service establishments such as restaurants, movie theaters and street carts in the New York City area. Bloomberg believes that when this law takes effect will discourage soda consumers by limiting their soda intake therefore will help fight obesity. People in America have been drinking and enjoying carbonate drinks for years, when going to movies, restaurants and other places of gathering, is some cases can be a part of their daily diet and it can be an addiction to carbonated drinks not realizing that the amount of sugar soft drinks contain is staggering. In a 20-oz. Coca-Cola bottle there is about 65 grams of sugar, meaning that in every ounce there is three and one-fourths ounces of sugar. Bloombergs proposal to ban 32 ounces drinks from places where sodas are sold can help set a new default serving for consumers, also can help with health problems therefore health costs can minimize. The proposal would be an excellent incentive to star promoting better health among consumers; statistics show that nearly

Fuentes 2 half of Americans drink soda daily (Madison) Teens are been bombarded with advertising everywhere in the United States and males being the most frequent consumers in the country. In the Bronx area alone more than two thirds of adults are overweight, and is one of the mayor city where is growing faster (HU). UCSF suggest that soda tax can save lives, estates that Could prevent 240,000 cases of diabetes per year. (Bibbins-Domingo), her colleagues also estimated that soda taxes could save citizens $17 billion over the next decade in health care expenses that related with people who drinks extreme quantities of soda. Among these health problems include high blood pressure, diabetes and high risk of heart attack. According with Bloomberg proposal by taxing soda and other sugary drinks, it can help citizens realize that these type of drinks are not good their health, people then will have to think twice before buying more than a 16 ounce drink and think twice if decide to get another drink. Others consumers see a different way of Bloombergs proposal an effective way to raise money taxing sugary drinks, and use the taxes revenue to pay and contribute to better schools and better road, where others such taxpayers oppose claiming that is a way to collect money government and political purposes(Hellmich). There is little opposition toward Bloomberg proposal. No matter what laws or soda and other sweetened beverages taxes are applied and the impact on health issues, people will still buy it. Either buying sugary drinks or other kind of food it wont make a difference to this group of people the choice not to eat or drink sugary is not an alternative. A simple example: if we eat cake with sugary frosting is just bad as drinking a big gulp of soda (Riteerman). Some people would not care about amount consumption or paying more for soda and sugary drinks and the effects this might bring

Fuentes 3 to their health, the freedom to choose what they want to drink or eat is a choice consumers have to take control of it. Members of every constituency from the Republican Party were against Bloomberg plan on the soda ban commented that is a restriction of freedom of choice; limiting soda intake is the public choice not the state or legislators. Coca-Cola, Pepsi and other soda industries are against the proposal since they will make less money as the consumption of their products could be less. Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposal of taxing sugary drinks, according to him it would combat New Yorks problems with obesity and other health issues, will take months to be approved and become in effect not only in New York City but other states are considering to propose as well. Other places that are not in the United States are considering make changes in the way people drink soda too. Bloomberg proposal to limit the sizes of sweetened will affect restaurants, movie theaters, sports arenas and delis among other places where soda is sold. He is not banning the sale of soda or suggesting that people cant drink soda but to make consumers aware of what is reasonable to drink and not over drink to maintain a healthy life. Many critics believe that people doesnt get unhealthy just by drinking soda and other sugar drinks but by eating fat food as well. Trying to get the city healthy will depend en consumers choices not by making laws by politicians. The tax seems to be a promising way to attack obesity because in the United States soda plays a huge role when it comes to health issues. Cobble Hill Cinemas in Brooklyn is waiting to order cups larger then 16 ounces, in preparation for the conclusion of the proposal. Brandon Serrano a manager of the restaurant comment: We are doing it, I guess(Serrano).

Fuentes 4 Works Cited Half of American Sip Sugary Drinks Daily. CNN.com. Cable News Network, 31 Aug. 2011. Web. 5 Dec. 2013. Hellmich, Nanci. Analysis: Soda tax may reduce weight, raise revenue. Usatoday.com. Gannett, 13 Dec. 2010. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. Hu, Winnie. Obesity Ills That Wont Budge Fuel Soda Battle by Bloomberg. The New York Times. 11 June. 2012: A1. Print. Bibbins-Domingo Kristen. How Many Lives Could a Soda Tax Save? Ucsf.edu. UCSF, 9 Jan. 2012. Web. 05 Dec. 2013. Ritterman, Jeff. SFGate: San Francisco Bay Area SFGate. Hearts Communications, Inc., 2 Dec. 2013. Web. 4 Dec. 2013. Yee, Vivian. Preparation and Vows of Defiance as Big Sugary Drink Ban Is Set to Start. The New York Times, 10 March. 2013: A16. Print. Park, Madison. Half of Americans sip sugary drinks daily. CNN Health. Cable News Network, 31 Aug. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. Sadeghi-Nejad, Nathan. NYCs Soda Ban is A Good Idea, But a Tax Would Be Better. Forbes. Forbes.com., 13 Sep. 2012. Web. 11 Dec.2013