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Nanny State Steps In On Soda, Law Proposed Banning Restaurants From Serving Beverages
By Aaron Kesel
The nanny state is attempting to limit what drinks children can receive at restaurants. A California bill proposing limiting restaurants to serving children water or unflavored milk with their meals passed the California Assembly and is now making its way to Gov. Jerry Brown’s (D) desk.
However, the bill targeted at battling childhood obesity would not prevent children or parents from ordering alternatives, according to ABC 7.
If Brown signs the bill into law, California would be the first state to have such a nanny state law, CBS Sacramento affiliate KOVR reported.
According to CBS, several California cities have already passed similar restrictions, as have other cities across the United States, but never at the statewide level.
CBS reports that the American Cancer Society was an enthusiastic supporter of the bill.
“Some of these kids are drinking up to three sodas a day. This is setting them up for tremendous cancer risks down the road,” Stephanie Winn of the American Cancer Society told KOVR. “Because now we know that 20 percent of all cancers are tied to being overweight.”
A study from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that two-thirds of children ages 2 to 19 drink at least a single sugary beverage a day. The CDC also found an association between frequent soda consumption and obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, nonalcoholic liver disease, tooth decay and cavities, CBS News reported.
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However, parents have expressed their opinions at the idea of the nanny state interfering with their parenting.
“I think the government shouldn’t determine what’s available when I as a mother know what’s best with my child,” Inez Deocio said.
The Independent Journal Review reported that another California parent, Ken Barnes, expressed “Why is this law even necessary? I’m old enough to remember when my mom would say ‘put down that soda, drink some water if you’re thirsty.’”
Activist Post and our sister network Natural Blaze have unequivocally documented the harmful effects of soda including diet variants. However, it’s important to note that we are also against the State trying to play babysitter with our children.
Parents should raise their own children absent of government involvement in deciding what food or drinks someone’s child should have. We’ll end with the same question Ken Barnes asked, Why is this law even necessary?
California seems to be going through an identity crisis; the state seeks to restrict soda, which an NYC appeals court in 2013 previously ruled was unconstitutional.
New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s ban on soda and other sweet drinks larger than 16 ounces was blocked by State Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling.
Meanwhile, in California, they are handing out needles like candy at the same time a city in the sunny state, Santa Barbara, has banned the use of straws — a fun fact that a San Francisco sandwich shop, The Sentinel, has recently pointed out in its menu mocking the state’s legislature and priorities.
Aaron Kesel writes for Activist Post. Support us at Patreon. Follow us on Minds, Steemit, SoMee, BitChute, Facebook and Twitter. Ready for solutions? Subscribe to our premium newsletter Counter Markets.
