SOFT DRINKS

BIENVENIDO A LA NANNY STATE
The text is about how Michael Bloomberg, New York City mayor, tried to push a soda tax in Mexico. The author says the attitude is controversial and shows examples of other interventions the mayor did in Mexico, like tobacco-control and road safety projects.

After talking about these laws and how effective they were, it mentions how, after the mayor spent a lot of money on this campaign - to promote it and make studies about it -, he had a bad reaction from activists and multinacional companies, like Coca-Cola. The text also shows how Emilio Herrera, director of the National Association of Soft Drinks (...) criticizes Bloomblerg's "imperialism". Herrera says he can do this in NY, but shouldn't influence Mexico's public polices.
Those who support the tax call the repercussion of it a "distraction" coming from the companies - especifically Coca-Cola.

Most health experts in Mexico support the soft drink tax, since there is a obesity and diabetes epidemic in the country - obesity rates surpassed the USA rates.
In 2006, then president proposed a 5% tax on bubbly drinks, but it was shot down by the Senate.

The current president introduced a 15% tax on soft drinks, ice cream and candy.
Bloomberg Philanthropies has funded health programs in Brazil, Russia, India, Turkey and Vietnam, but it is more "friendly" with Mexican leaders. In 2007, he worked on the tobbaco-control and road-safety programs that were really effective at the same time, but still, his soft-drink tax efforts have become the subject of mocking.

NUMBERS

SOFT DRINKS

• What are they and history
• Carbonated drinks
• Bottling industry/Hom-paks and vending machines
• Coca-Cola
• Soft drinks in Brazil

OBESITY

• Definition
• Obesity in the US
• Problems
• Causes
• Genetics

LAWS TO PREVENT OBESITY

• Details about Michael Bloomberg's law
• The ban of super-sized soft drinks
• Reasons for the laws
• Other laws (in schools)

CONCLUSION
After resarching about health problems brought mainly by soft drinks, the group agreed that, besides the fact that these drinks aren't healthy, Bloomberg shouldn't try to forbid them in Mexico. First, he should be able to do it in his own city, New York, otherwise it is a controversial attitude. Plus, Mexico should have the right to have its autonomy to control and make its laws according to the government and population's beliefs.

Also, we do not agree with these laws in general for the same reason: by restricting people's consumption of sugar and all related foods and beverages, the government is taking their free will and going against democracy.

Untitled Slide

• Giovanna A. G.
• Mateus Favarelli
• Pedro Calil
• Renata Pilon
• 2o ano verde