Dept. of Health Advertisement launched today
Jan. 7, 2019 By Christian Murray
Sugary drinks like soda are no different than cigarettes, according to city health officials.
The NYC Department of Health launched a media campaign today that compares sugary drinks to cigarettes and tells viewers that soda and other sugary drinks can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cavities and weight gain.
“Like cigarettes, sugary drinks are bad for our health and can have long-term consequences,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “Through this campaign, we hope all New Yorkers will understand that. We urge all New Yorkers to consume fewer sugary drinks, and parents should not give sugary drinks to their children.”
The campaign primarily targets kids, particularly black and Latino teens.
The department said that 42 percent of black high school students and 38 percent of Hispanic students drank at least one sugary drink per day in 2017. The percentage among whites and Asian high school students was less–at 26 percent and 21 percent respectively.
“Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are epidemic, and sugary beverages are a major factor,” said Assembly Member Richard Gottfried (D-Midtown Manhattan), chair of the Assembly Health Committee. “This is a public health crisis, like tobacco, and increasing public awareness about the risks makes sense, just like for tobacco.”
The campaign notes that that just one 20-ounce bottle of soda can include more than 70 grams of added sugar, which is more than 250 empty calories.
The department is telling the public to avoid soda, fruit drinks, sweetened ice tea, energy drinks and sports drinks. It is advising the public to drink water or seltzer.
The campaign will run through early February and will be in English and Spanish TV as well as on social media.
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16 Comments
People should know by now smoking is bad for your health..same with excessive sweet drinks BUT it is not the place of the City to tell us what to do
Soda started out as a once in a while treat, like candy. Now people have soda on the dinner table.
Yah, So… It’s Your Business? It’s the Government’s Business? No, it is Not.
like Cigarette’s , it’s up to people to decide what they want to put in their body.
Except that they raise health insurance prices for all
The city should stop telling people how to live their lives. NYCHA, MTA, DOT – all crooked and corrupt – focus on them.
oh, so you mean smoking pot is healthier than cigarettes and sugary drinks? Really?
Yes. Yes.
Smoking pot makes you dumb, it really does. I don’t want anyone chiming in about hemp rope , or any other silly ideas about the great things weed does.. I work with wake-n-bakes, and the new breed with the oils and vapes. 10 minutes after work starts they’re useless. The stares, the way I have to repeat everything 10 times, the way basic skills are forgotten. It’s like herding kittens who are drunk dealing with stoners, stop making pretend weed is ok, it isn’t, it stupefies people.
What?
It is OK when the time is right. It is not weed’s fault that they use before work… What if they drank before work, would you blame the booze? It’s the same for any mind altering substance. Go away.
Sugary drinks are bad. I stay healthy by drinking whiskey.
Okay, come on then. What’s your favorite whiskey?
No one is surprised that soda is bad for you, yet everyone will complain about this ad campaign.
What is wrong with juice without added sugars?
I probably have this wrong, but I think the fiber in actual fruit, which is basically removed in the juicing process, is what protects you from the bad effects of natural sugars in fruit.
I think this guy says that’s why you should “Eat your fruit. Don’t drink it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtkWXWViS-0