Foods & Nutrition
Sugar Ban: Persuasive Essay Assignment
Should the government ban large sugary drinks and/or tax sugar-sweetened beverages to help consumers make
healthier choices (i.e., discourage sugar consumption, reduce obesity, and raise money for obesity prevention).
On September 13, 2012, NYC became the first in the United States to ban the sale of sugared
beverages (e.g., soda and sweetened tea) larger than 16 oz. at restaurants, mobile food carts, sports
arenas, and movie theaters (Park, 2012). The ban is aimed at cutting obesity rates in the U.S. (i.e.,
2/3rd of American adults and nearly 40% of New York City’s public elementary and middle
school students are considered overweight) (Park, 2012). The ban does not prevent consumers
from buying several 16 oz. sodas at a time, but health officials hope the inconvenience will get
people to cut down on their use of sugared drinks and make other healthy changes in their diet.
Critics of the ban, question why sugared sodas are the target and stress that consumers are smart
enough to make their own decisions about what to eat and drink. The beverage industry took the
NYC Department of Health to court, arguing the many exceptions and loopholes in the ban. A
state Supreme Court Judge overruled the ban and Bloomberg is currently appealing the decision.
On New Years Day (Jan. 1, 2014), a new tax on soda and other high-calorie foods went into effect
in Mexico. Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program, called Mexico’s new law
“an inspiration.” California policymakers may follow suit and try again to tax sugar-sweetened
beverages in the effort to discourage sugar consumption, reduce obesity, and raise money for
obesity prevention (Lauer, 2014).
What do you think?
Write a five-paragraph persuasive essay on whether government should ban large sugary
drinks and/or tax sugar-sweetened beverages to help consumers make healthier choices (i.e.,
discourage sugar consumption, reduce obesity, and raise money for obesity prevention).
You will be required to research each side of the argument and support your opinion.
Your persuasive essay is worth 50 points and must be uploaded to www.turnitin.com.
Five-Paragraph Essay: Refer to outline of a persuasive essay and rubric (on website)
References: Include at least 3 references in APA format (www.citationmachine.com or www.easybib.com)
o Refer to resource page for articles and references (on website)
Class Concepts: Bold or underline class concepts (MyPlate, Portion Distortion, Reading Food Labels,
Carbohydrates, Fats, and Protein concepts) in paper (include at least THREE class concepts)
Class Work Time: Tuesday, January 14th – Friday, January 17th
Due Date: Sunday, January 19th at 11:59pm (uploaded to www.turnitin.com.)
(email to laddy@gl.k12.mi.us: emergency only)
Total Points: 50 (see rubric)