More Than 200,000 New Yorkers Have Signed Petition Against Ban

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New Yorkers for Beverage Choices today announced that more than 200,000 New Yorkers have joined the coalition in opposition to the proposed size restrictions on sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda, juice drinks, teas, sports drinks and flavored waters.

"This proposal to restrict choice is likely to pass, but it won't pass with the support of New Yorkers," Eliot Hoff, spokesperson for New Yorkers for Beverage Choices said. "I am proud to stand by more than 200,000 fellow New Yorkers to highlight the inequitable and arbitrary nature of the proposed 'soda ban.'"

As the New York City Board of Health's final ruling on September 13 quickly approaches, New Yorkers are speaking out against the ban in larger numbers than ever before. According to a recent poll conducted by The New York Times, sixty percent of New Yorkers believe that the ban on sugar-sweetened beverages is a "bad idea" with a majority of those surveyed responding that the ban infringes on people's freedom of choice.

New Yorkers for Beverage Choices is continuing to engage individuals and businesses throughout the city to voice their opposition to the proposed ban and is ensuring those voices are heard by both Mayor Bloomberg and his Board of Health. More than 2,003 businesses and 201,420 individual supporters have joined the coalition since its inception.

"What we need in New York are sensible solutions to the obesity issue that focus on a comprehensive approach to tackle an extremely complex problem," Hoff said. "New Yorkers are smart enough to decide for themselves what to eat and drink."

New Yorkers for Beverage Choices has been fighting for small business owners and New York residents that oppose the ban since the proposal was introduced, and will not abandon these efforts. By joining New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, New York City business owners and residents still have the opportunity to speak out against the proposed beverage ban and make their voices heard.

For more information or to join the coalition, visit www.nycbeveragechoices.com.

SOURCE New Yorkers for Beverage Choices