New York City residents got a chance Tuesday to weigh in on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal to ban big sugary drinks in his city but Bloomberg's proposal did not go over well with residents and visitors on the Grand Strand.
The "Big Apple's" health board held a public hearing on a proposal to ban restaurants, movie theaters and other eateries from serving sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces.
Bloomberg said sugary drinks are a key driver of the obesity epidemic and 5,800 New Yorkers will die this year because they're obese or overweight.
"People are obese because they don't know how to control eating, you know. But that's what they do, that's their choice," said Casey Chambers of Myrtle Beach.
"I understand the motive and maybe it's a wake up call to some people, but you're getting into an area that infringes on people's rights," said Tom Woods of Brooklyn, New York.
On NewsChannel 15's Facebook page, Darlene Miles Bateman comments, "It's another example of the government sticking its nose where it doesn't belong."
At the same time, a clinical dietician at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, who would support a ban on the big drinks, said she understands the argument about impinging on people's freedom, but that's not what the issue is about.
"It's about preventing obesity," said dietician Kelly Snow. "That is one thing that they have control of to do, to help prevent this problem."
Snow said when it comes to controlling weight, people concentrate on fatty foods and overlook sugary beverages, which can cause health problems.
"A lot of time, extra sugar that we get from beverages, it all gathers around the stomach and that's close to your heart, so automatically, that's heart disease," she said.
Snow said water and sugar-free drinks are much healthier. But many South Carolinians remain unconvinced that the government should get involved in banning big soft drinks.
"It's taking away some freedoms. I mean, let people decide what they want," said Amon McDuffie of Darlington.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
