By Brigitte Grisanti
In 2007, in New York Mayor Bloomberg proposed a “congestion
charge” in which drivers would have to pay an $8.00 charge in order to drive
their cars into New York City. The proposed
charge was not passed by state legislators.
In 2008, the Mayor helped usher in a new law that required
all chain restaurants to post the calorie count of their food items. They must show how many calories are in each
item they sell. All major chain
restaurants are now in compliance with the new law. He also banned trans-fats from any foods
prepared and sold in New York City. Although
hesitant many bakeries and fast food chains adjusted their recipes.
In 2010, rather than banning salty snacks from New York City
the Mayor introduced a voluntary salt-reduction plan to encourage food
producers to cut down on sodium use in food preparation. Dozens of companies voluntarily complied with
the guidelines.
In February 2013, during the Mayor’s State of the City address he said
that the next item he would like banned from the New York City is Styrofoam,
used in take-out containers and to-go cups in businesses throughout New York
City. It is “something that we know is
environmentally destructive” and “is something we can do without.” He said
during his speech. “We will work to
adopt a law banning Styrofaom food packaging from New York City stores and
restaurants.”
In March 2013, the Mayor’s soda ban, which would have banned
the sale of sodas larger than 16 ounces, was struck down by the New York ‘s
highest court. The high court ruled that
the ban was “arbitrary and capricious,” but the Mayor vowed to continue the
fight for this ban. The New York Mayor
claims his health policies “help New Yorkers live longer, healthier lives.” “Life
expectancy in New York City is now 3 years longer than it was in 2001 and more
than two years longer than the national average.”
Also In March 2013, the Mayor proposed legislation that would require
stores to keep cigarettes out of the sight of consumers, hidden behind counters
or in bins or closets so that children and former smokers would not be tempted
by them. The mayor stated “Such displays
suggest that smoking is a normal activity, and they invite young people to
experiment with tobacco.”
In April 2013, the Mayor announced his proposal to raise the legal age limit
for buying all tobacco products from 18 to 21.
It would not, however, prohibit adults under the age of 21 from smoking
cigarettes.
I’m not sure when the proposals of 2013 will pass or fail
but I’m sure the events on the route there and the decisions made will all make
headlines as usual. I don’t live in New
York but I like Mayor Bloomberg. His
philosophy can sure afford to make its way to Gatlinburg where the average life
span is less than in New York City.
Thank you for your efforts from Brigitte Grisanti New York Mayor Fan!
