San Francisco Soda Ban: Ban Soda, Ban Fat?

Yeah, soda is unhealthy, think of all the sugar and caffeine in a regular can of Coke! But normally people determine for themselves if they want to drink a high calorie drink or go for something a little more sensible like water and juice. Recently though, Mayor Gavin Newsom has ordered a city wide ban on soda machines in San Francisco from selling Coke and other sugary drinks!

Why the sudden executive order to ban all sugary drinks in San Francisco soda machines and replace the sodas with healthier options? Perhaps Newsom hopes to combat obesity through providing healthier options for refreshment in vending machines throughout the city. Examples of the new drink choices offered include soy milk, rice milk, and certain diet sodas. Drinks that are no longer represented in vending machines include sodas, sports drinks, artificially flavored water, and juice with added sweeteners. Yes, the Mayor does plan to combat obesity and improve the health of the residents of San Francisco through implementing the soda ban throughout the city on all soda vending machines (Epoch Times).

Will the change in drink options help residents to make healthier choices and lower obesity rate of residents? Probably not, in my opinion. Changing the drink choices in vending machines will only affect the percentage of the popular seeking refreshment while in an area with vending machines, and more than likely if their favorite drink is not represented, they may skip purchasing a drink altogether. Residents will continue to make unhealthy purchasing choices while at the grocery stores or when reaching for their favorite beverage from the refrigerator at home. Rather than ban sodas from machines, a passive-aggressive attempt to force healthy drink choices, the Mayor should implement education that will increase the likelihood that children and adults will begin to take obesity more seriously and make healthier meal and beverage choices.