Posted on 04/28/2006 2:54:03 AM PDT by SheLion
HARTFORD, Conn., Connecticut's state legislature voted on Thursday to ban sales of sodas and other sugary beverages in state elementary, middle and high schools as part of an effort to stem teen obesity.
Gov. Jodi Rell has pledged to sign the bill, which would make Connecticut the fourth U.S. state with a strong law in schools to trim the growing American teenage waistline.
The ban includes all regular and diet sodas, along with "electrolyte replacement beverages" such as Gatorade. The only drinks allowed to go on sale in schools would be bottled water, milk or 100-percent fruit and vegetable drinks.
"The bill clearly won't solve all food and beverage questions that lead to the increase in excess weight and obesity that we are seeing among children and adults in our society, but it's a good start," said state Rep. Andrew Fleischmann.
A Northwestern University study released in December showed more than one in three American adolescents are physically unfit and have many of the risk factors for heart disease.
The Connecticut law, which will take effect from July, will allow soda sales at concession stands at school-sponsored events after school and on weekends. Students can also pack their own sodas and sports drinks and bring them to school.
The House approved the bill on Thursday by a slim 76-to-71 vote margin largely on party lines in the Democrat-controlled state Legislature. Last week it passed the Senate 24-to-8.
Republicans proposed multiple amendments that were all voted down and said the issue should be left to local communities and not decided by the state.
"This is a decision that should be decided at the local level," Republican state Rep. David Labriola said during the five hours of debate over the bill in the House. "That's what our local boards of education are for."
Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. are the two largest U.S. soda companies. Officials at both companies were not immediately available to comment.
What can I say?
So they ban diet coke to fight obesity but allow apple juice - that makes a heck of a lot of sense. /s
Well there is as much sugar in juice as in soda. And while I myself rather disapprove of diet soda, if what you are after is a decrease in calories, it makes a lot of sense to drink diet soda.
The sugar aspect is only one issue. The fact that these vending machines have a monopoly in a captive group offering a useless product for the kids to waste their money on is the real issue.
It was a money making scheme to rip off kids that should have never started.
"It was a money making scheme to rip off kids that should have never started."
Somewhat like what public education itself has become.These do-gooders are just trying to distract everyone from their pathetic failure at doing what they are supposed to be doing.
yep that's a job for the DOE! they can't teach for sh!T, but they can do this stuff. johnny can't read, but he ain't gonna be fat.
so we'll have a bunch of skinny welfare types who can't function...
The little corner store owners near all the schools are thrilled!!!!
I don't know. It's just the whole idea of more decisions being removed from parents hands regarding their children. It's like the government is aiming at taking complete control over our lives.
Once again showing how little of importance these morons actually have to do.
I know. Instead of being leaders, they want to be "controllers." Not a pretty picture, IMHO.
In Britain in a number of schools they cut out a lot of the unhealthy food, replaced it with more healthy food and found that the Children behaved better in class and that test scores went up.
Unrelated fact though I need at least three cups of coffee when I get into the office.
When the Legislature was in session part time years ago they didn't have time for nonsense like this! Time to make this a part time job again!
Unrelated fact though I need at least three cups of coffee when I get into the office.
I totally agree that diet plays a large part in our mental well being, etc. I just feel that education is the way to go instead of just banning and yanking items one by one off of the shelves, telling us we can't make an informed decision. That we need big government to do it for us. I'm not used to this.
And I, too, need my coffee in the mornings to get going. :)
And you know kids when something is "banned." Just makes them that more curious. But I did read where the kids can still bring soda's with them to school. The school is just not allowed to have the vending machines or sell soda anymore.
Much to the dismay of the vendors that will be losing a lot of money. The trickle down effect, you know.
"No to Soda, Yes to Condoms" This only make sense to liberals.
That's right. Go to the school nurse and they are handed out like candy.
Soda is unhealthy but they teach sodomy with men is OK.
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