New Yorkers say soft drinks ban goes too far, says poll

Rebecca Prescott6 Jun 2012 (Updated 13 Jun 2012)

New York City (NYC) Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed the ban of sugary drinks larger than 16oz in establishments other than grocery and convenience stores.

53% of adults in NYC believe it's a bad idea while 42% say it is a good one. 6% are unsure.

Dr Lee Miringoff, director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, said: "Unfortunately for Mayor Bloomberg, New Yorkers find the glass to be half empty on his proposal to ban super-size drinks."

By borough, the proposal is poorly received among residents in Queens and Staten Island and in Brooklyn (US). 58% of adults in Queens and Staten Island and 55% of those in Brooklyn say the ban is a bad idea.

However, 52% of Manhattan residents think the proposal is a good one. In the Bronx, 49% say the plan is a bad idea while 44% think it's a good one.

Even a majority of New Yorkers who want to lose weight (51%) think the restriction is not a good idea.

And, while 42% of New York City adults report the idea is good health policy to fight the problem of obesity, 53% believe Bloomberg's plan is an example of government going too far. 5% are unsure.

Many New Yorkers think there's little point to the ban. 52% state the proposal won't help people watch their weight. 45% disagree and say it will, and 3% are unsure.

67% have seen or heard about it including 39% who have heard a great deal about it and 28% who know a good amount. 16% haven't heard or seen very much about the plan, and 17% know nothing at all about it.

When it comes to New Yorkers' own drinking habits, the ban would affect less than one in five adults. Just 17% of residents say they purchase a beverage larger than 16oz when they go out to eat, to the movies, or to a sporting event.

This includes 6% who report they do so very often and 11% who say they often do. 31% state it's rare they make such a purchase, and 52% say they never buy super-size drinks. Not surprisingly, 64% of those who purchase these large drinks think the mayor's proposed ban is a bad idea.

Source: Marist Poll

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