From Our Team

The Soda Ban is Stupid

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Jon Law

While on the theme of soda taxes, I’d like to share the following link “The Soda Ban is Stupid”.

Dr. Carroll, Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, asserts that we are unfairly demonizing soda, when other foods in chain restaurants have a much greater contribution to caloric unbalance (eating more than we burn). Take a look at his analysis of a 4000 calorie meal at Chili’s. Arguably, the Coca Cola is least threatening of the foods in this hypothetical meal. (As an aside, the Brownie Sundae is delicious.)

Carroll gives a pretty direct opinion on the proposed NYC soda policy, “the soda ban is stupid, the trans fat ban is not.” From my reading, the science is pretty solid that reductions in transfats will likely lead to a proportionate decrease in heart disease. Interestingly, many food producers currently ban transfats voluntarily.

On the soda side of things, Carroll argues that NYC (he specifically is addressing the proposed NYC ban on 16 oz soda) is selectively picking on one source of sugar, while ignoring others. In fact, there’s some evidence that consumers will buy two 12 oz sodas, if the 16 oz soda is unavailable, effectively increasing the individuals overall soda consumption.

To hear Carroll’s full argument, watch the video on the bottom. His language is not too technical. The only quirk is that the videos editing causes him to jump from one side of the screen to the other, throughout the video.

Still seeking more insight on Mexico’s soda tax, a very different approach than NYC’s 16 oz. soda ban

Jon Law

Jon has been with the Health Foundation since 2004. He oversees the finance, communications, and program departments. He also leads the Health Foundation’s REALIZE Board project, an effort to provide training for board members of regional non-profit organizations. Jon feels strongly about the importance of health promotion and ecological approaches to health improvement. A native of Arizona, Jon completed his bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Arizona. He also holds a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso

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