New York City’s ban on large sugary drinks was struck down last week, and some Gainesville residents and business owners voiced opposition to the idea of a similar law coming to town.
Adam Brewer, 32, owner and operator of Adam’s Rib Co., said if there was a similar ban on sugary drinks proposed locally, he wouldn’t let it happen.
“I totally would fight this 100 percent,” he said. “There are just too many people out there depending on soft drink sales. … It’s a money maker.”
New York City’s ban was set to go into effect March 12.
It would have limited the sale of sugary drinks to containers of no more than 16 ounces.
But a New York Supreme Court judge declared the ban invalid.
The ban would have applied to some food establishments and excluded certain beverages that have more calories and sugar.
The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed last fall by several business associations challenging the ban.
Laura Acosta, owner of LifeStyle Wellness and a registered dietician in Gainesville, said she sees New York City’s good intention for putting a ban on sugary drinks.
However, she also said she believed education about the high number of calories and obesity would be more effective.
“I feel like making a law sometimes just makes people resentful,” she said.
“It’s up to the person to decide. If they don’t care, they don’t care.”
Amanda Fretz, a 19-year-old UF junior studying Spanish, said she supports the ban from a health perspective.
But she said it would be harmful to restaurants.
“Until we find a way to … still maintain customer satisfaction while trying to be healthier, then I just can’t see it happening,” she said.
