Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law this week an “anti-Bloomberg” measure that prohibits local governments from banning supersize sugary drinks.
The bill’s nickname stems from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s recent rush to ban the sale of sugary drinks and sodas that surpassed certain sizes. A judge subsequently blocked that ban. But Mississippi isn’t taking any chance the same move might start down South.
“It simply is not the role of the government to microregulate citizens’ dietary decisions,” the governor said, as reported by CNN. “The responsibility for one’s personal health depends on individual choices about a proper diet and appropriate exercise.”
The new law specifies that only state lawmakers have the right to oversee food sales and marketing in Mississippi, CNN reports.
The bill came by way of a lawmaker who is also a restaurant owner — Sen. Tony Smith.
“If the market demands that I serve a more healthy food, I’ll do that to meet to the market demand,” he said, as quoted by CNN. “[But] why should I risk my capital, my hard work, my efforts that I’ve put in to build a restaurant on the thinking of what a government official thinks?”
SEE ALSO: Bloomberg vows to fight reversal of NYC soda ban
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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