The War on Cola: L.A. Councilman Proposes Ban on Soda in Parks & Libraries Because It’s Unhealthy & Makes Teens Violent
- Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:10pm by
Becket Adams
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If we were the CEO of, say, Coca-Cola Co. or PepsiCo, we would be seriously annoyed with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Why? Because it looks like he has opened the anti-soda floodgates.
And here’s the latest: Los Angeles City Council member Mitchell Englander has proposed a ban on the sale of soda from city park and library vending machines because it’s unhealthy and, apparently, it makes teens violent.
Councilman Englander, who addressed a special committee on Tuesday, says he decided something needed to be done after he learned his daughter could buy only soda from the vending machines at a local park.
“Here in the city of Los Angeles, one in four children is obese,” Englander told the City Council. “In many of our communities, it’s one in three. This stands in stark contrast to a generation ago, when less than one in ten of our children were obese.”
Because childhood obesity is, like, kind of a big deal, he thinks it’s important that they make soda unavailable for kids and teenagers in public areas. He suggests that they replace the soda with water and fruit juices.
“Sodas are laden with sugar and caffeine and have proven to be the least healthy beverage for young children and teenagers … and teens drinking lots of soda could be missing important nutrients in their diet,” Englander writes in the official motion.
And in case the special committee isn’t swayed by the “fight obesity” angle, Councilman Englander argues that soda also makes teens violent.
“A recent study featured on the online site ‘Injury Prevention’ has found a correlation between violence by teenagers and the amount of soda they drink. The study reviewed the behavior of Boston high school students, and provided evidence proving that teens who consumed more than five non-diet sodas per week were 9-15% more likely to be violent against peers and in dating relationships,” he writes in the motion.
“The study reflected an association, though not necessarily a cause and effect relationship between drinking soda and violence,” he adds.
So then the stakes seem pretty clear: either ban the sale of soda from vending machines in libraries in and public parks or risk having a city overrun with angry, overweight kids.
“As a City, we need to lead by example by making soda unavailable in our recreation and library facilities. Children cannot be blamed for poor nutritional choices, but as adults, we must limit those choices in City facilities known for children and teenage recreation,” Englander writes.
“The elimination of sodas in RAP [The Department of Recreation and Parks] vending machines will not put an end to childhood obesity, but it is a small step in educating the public about healthier food and beverage choices,” he adds.
His motion is being evaluated and the committee has 45 days to make a decision.
You can read the full motion here.
(H/T: CBS Los Angeles & KTLA)
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Comments (80)
AllLost
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:44pmThis is not about health, but about control and power, and the loss of individual freedom. How many were happy when the banned smoking in establishments, sidewalks, parks, and then finally everywhere?
If was about health they would ban all fast food, and donut shops. So you will only be allowed out in the sun for 2 hours a day before being ticketed.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:59pmI say GO FOR IT… LA & NYC… Ban Everything; You can fix the World :)
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:15pmMeanwhile in Texas: lets decriminalize pot, deregulate gun ownership, abolish the TSA, EPA, DEA, IRS, cut taxes, and generally leave people alone.
I wonder which country will be better off? (And yes, I meant country, because I love Texas that much!)
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:31pmAnd I just conducted a study wherein the results indicated that Pepsi tastes better than Coke!!!!!!!!
(Not really), but if you look hard enough I would wager you could find a study which indicates that french fries are healthier than pickled beets!!!!!!!!!
Such a study doesn’t make much sense? Neither do most ‘studies; — they are conducted to PROVE A POINT, not to GET TO THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:39pmI see where this is going and why…
This is a direct result.. and a sure way… to cut down on cost to health insurance ..because of (O-CARE)..
Take away everything that can pose a health risk ….!
But I bet they will be …A O K …with “diet soda’
Report Post »All them chemicals does a body good…!
oneshiner
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:21pmThis is brilliant thinking Mr. Councilman. Gee, why didn’t we think about this sooner?
Report Post »So, all they have to do is go to closest vender and slurp as much soda as they want, then walk over to the park or library but that won’t make them violent, because they didn’t get it there.
SREGN
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:35pmGood. If they ban cola they‘ll create a huge black market in it and the price will rise and everyone will want it because they can’t have it and we can really make some money at it. We can become cola pushers on the corner. We can join cola gangs and throw down cola gang signs. We can make it in bathtubs in our basements or make cola runs across the Oakland border. Yippee Kiyay MF.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:40pmthese idiot politicans are going to make me violent if they don’t shut their pie holes.
Report Post »pissantno.10
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:31pmnow you should know pie is not good for you no no no
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:33pmWe need a ban on progressives and democrats ie communists and RINOS by not putting them in power.
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:24pmNotice how much of this dictatorship stuff came to being with Obama’s rein?
Report Post »jorart
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:33pmBut dont take their marijuana!
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:12pmYou read my mind.
Report Post »Oznogs
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:32pmIt is amazing that they want to ban soda’s in the park since the reason for putting them in the parks and libraries is the city/county was looking for revenue to assist with maintenance and such things. Next step, ask the taxpayers for more money since they are loosing this revenue stream er cash cow.
Report Post »Laus Deo
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:32pmI knew it wouldn’t be long till the mental midgets of California followed the leader(s). I hate to sound like a copycat but LA, “I will not comply” and furthermore, you can kiss my a55.
Report Post »AbnormalJoe
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:31pmit’s simple; ban air.
air has been shown that, when breathed in, it will kill you.
Also, outlaw saliva. Sallowing little bits over a long period of time can kill you. To protect you on the road, you must wear a bubble and helmet. a Study show that people who wear helmets and bubbles die less.
…well, they still die somehow. but hey, at least they are backed up by a study!
we really need a wake up call in this country. If you protect yourself from everything, then what’s the point of living? If it’s your time to go, it’s your time to go. There have been people who smoked, drank stuff FAR worse then cola and were nasty up to a ripe old age.
Report Post »gooeylewie
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:31pm…birth control is also unhealthy as the main ingredient is a group 1 carcinogen.
and over sexualized teens who can’t get any may become violent.
so, for the sake of being constant, are we going to alter our stance and support of planned parenthood as well?
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:30pm” Cola’s….It’s Unhealthy & Makes Teens Violent….”
NO… that would be Liberalism and progressivism! Freaking dopes, it’s the progressive pandering, “do what you feel” that makes teens violent. How much more of this do we have to put up with?!
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:17pmAn armed society is a polite society.
Report Post »insight
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:28pm“A recent study featured on the online site ‘Injury Prevention’ has found a correlation between violence by teenagers and the amount of soda they drink. Or lower class house holds where less healthy options are avalable tend to produce more voloent teens. White/black trash parents raise white/black trash teens.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:25pmNow that I’ve thought more about it, ban Denny’s also.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:41pmCome on man, we get some pretty good videos of animals in the wild from Denny’s. That would upset the Sierra Club and PETA.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:25pmThe genie‘s out of the bottle and these simpletons will just ban everything to ’protect’ us.Politicians need to work part time and stop trying to ‘protect’ us,it‘s nauseating and insulting and I’m sick of all the bastards because they‘re all greedy crooks that’s why they stay in office for forty to fifty years,all that power and money,they just can’t resign.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:22pm“The study reflected an association, though not necessarily a cause and effect relationship between drinking soda and violence,” he adds.
Association with angry liberals has also been known to result in violence. Can we all say Alec Baldwin???
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:22pmThe amazing thing is somebody voted these idiots in.
Report Post »Alot to be said for some voters!
progressiveslayer
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:29pmThat and voter apathy,but when the system collapses that‘ll get their attention but by then it’ll be too late.The takers won‘t respond like they did in the 30’s,the entitlement crowd will do what comes natural when the cash flow stops.
Report Post »damnedifwedont
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:32pmOff topic but…seriously???? 29 ad trackers on this site??? 29???
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:21pmIf soda makes teens violent, just look what Islam does.
Report Post »Cavallo
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:20pmThey’d have called us paranoid a few years ago for suggesting stuff like this could happen.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:20pmBan whatever you want in LA or NYC, they deserve whatever they get from the people they elect. Don’t even think about trying it in the heartland.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:20pmLiberalism makes teens violent, not sugar.
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 5:42pmThat was my thought too. I think there is a direct correlation to the rise of leftists and most societal ills
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:19pmLA deserves this.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:19pmMore words of wisdom from fairyland. pitiful, just pitiful.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:19pmWhy would anyone sane want to live in CA?
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:17pmEver been to L.A.? I think that a ban on crack, meth and pot smoking in parks and libraries would be more beneficial. L.A. is a toilet, a very dirty, dangerous toilet.
Report Post »ReaganBaby
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:15pmMaybe you should just hand out baggies of marijuana then i mean after all that is natural, safe and now legal. Stupid libs
Report Post »Fletcheralious
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:14pmDoes that include Arizona Ice Tea and Skittles?
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