Common Lit: Court Rejects New York City's Portion Cap for Sugary Drinks

In 2014, Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, designed a proposal known as "the soda ban" that would put limits on the size of sugary drinks that people could buy. The proposal was favored among health advocates, including the Board of Health, who argued that sugary drinks were linked to rising obesity rates and healthcare costs. In this opinion piece, Dr. Lisa Firestone, Director of Research and Education at The Glendon Association, explains why she believes the New York State Court of Appeals ultimately made the wrong decision in blocking Bloomberg's "soda ban."As you read, take notes on how people on both sides of the argument support their positions. It also offers a guided reading mode, an assessment, and discussion questions. [Free account registration required for specific tools.]