New York Mayor Bloomberg’s Next Crusades – Styrofoam Cups and Cigarette Displays! by Brigitte Grisanti

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!