Senate Targets Childhood Obesity With Ban on Sports Drinks in Schools
On Thursday, the state Senate passed a bill (SB1255) that would prohibit the sale of sugar-sweetened sports drinks in public middle and high schools as part of an effort to combat childhood obesity, the Ventura County Star reports.
The bill, by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Los Angeles), was sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) (Hindery, Ventura County Star, 5/27).
Schwarzenegger said in a release, "Studies have shown weight gain is connected to consuming sports drinks, and I applaud the California Senate for taking action to help prevent childhood obesity" (Office of the Governor release, 5/27).
The state already prohibits the sale of sports drinks in elementary schools, and soda has been banned from all school vending machines since 2007.
Padilla noted that students still will be able to consume sports drinks during sports practices or competitions after school.
Critics of the bill say that it is an example of the government trying to control personal choices.
Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) said the measure would just delay the consumption of sugary drinks until after school (Ventura County Star, 5/27).
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