Nothing in the world beats sitting down at a restaurant with a good meal accompanied by a large, refreshing soda of your choice. But what if the government tried to take that away? New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, recently proposed a ban on all high-sugar beverages over 16 fluid ounces, but on March 13, a state judge denied the proposal right before it was passed.

Sodas, energy drinks, fruit drinks and even sweet tea would have all been affected by the ban at restaurants, movie theatres, stadiums and mobile food carts all over the city, but not at gas stations and convenience stores such as Mapco or 7-Eleven. Many people would not have been happy with this ban, but was the mayor on the right track? Almost six out of every ten adult citizens in New York City are obese, and 4 out of every ten children enrolled in school.  Although the goals of the government would have benefited the community, should they have the right to regulate what we want to eat or drink?

Jessica Gallagher, a student at Bob Jones commented, “I don’t think the government should have a say in what we eat or drink. If someone chooses to be obese then that should be his or her own choice. No one should be able to control your weight except you.”

Mayor Bloomberg’s intention of reducing the obesity percentage was for everybody’s good but it should not be carried out in such a controlling manner.