AMARILLO, TEXAS -- If you stopped to grab a 32 or 44 ounce drink at a fast food joint today, you're among many. But in New York City, that could soon be illegal!
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a ban on super-sized sugary drinks. That ban would make it illegal for places like fast food restaurants, arenas or even movie theaters in New York to sell sugary drinks larger that 16 ounces! That includes energy drinks, soft drinks and even pre-sweetened iced tea.
While the ban won't be voted on by the New York City Board until the fall of 2012, folks in Amarillo say the idea isn't only ridiculous, it's wrong.
"It should be your choice to make," said Amarillo resident Jackie Smith. "You shouldn't have to have someone make it for you. That's not right."
"Most of my friends would be mad," said 13-year-old Clarendon native Austin Miranda. "Because they drink soft drinks a lot."
"We should be able to buy whatever size drink we want," added Amarillo citizen Kimberly Hayes. "It's ridiculous."
Bloomberg said the proposed ban for NYC is another step forward in combating the city's obesity problem. But again, many -- including Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole -- said the ban isn't the solution.
"I can't believe he feels he has the right to influence people about what size drink they carry around," said Mayor Harpole. "This is a little silly," he laughed.
"If people are where they're at with their obesity, with their health in life, it's going to go way beyond these drinks," added Hayes. "I don't think it's going to make any difference."
For now, you're still free to drink what you want, at whatever size, in New York. As for Amarillo -- well, let's just say the Mayor isn't worried about any such ban anytime soon.
"We'll set up an exchange program for those people that want to come to Texas where we're still free to drink what we want," laughed Harpole. "We can ship people that think that that's proper in Texas up to New York to live there. It just doesn't seem like that's something a mayor should be commenting on."
