New York Daily News – by Annie Karni
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is gone, but his shock ads warning about obesity endure.
The graphic spots, which show grisly images of how consuming sugary drinks can lead to diabetes, obesity and heart disease, are playing on television, five months after Bloomberg left office.
One of the ads aired during the Brooklyn Nets’ May 12 playoff game against Miami.
The commercials were unveiled in 2009 as part of Bloomberg’s “Pouring on the Pounds” anti-obesity campaign.
SETH WENIG/APThen-Mayor Bloomberg tried to ban the sale of many sweetened drinks more than 16 ounces in volume, but a State Supreme Court judge struck it down hours before it came into effect.It is one area where Mayor de Blasio’s administration has decided to maintain a signature policy of his predecessor, rather than put de Blasio’s own stamp on policy.
“Whatever is good work, we’ll continue it,” a City Hall source explained.
A Health Department spokesman added, “Regardless of an administration change, the leading causes of death remain the same. … Focus groups have shown these types of graphic ads are effective, which is why we continue to use them.”
ANTHONY DELMUNDO/NEW YORK DAILY NEWSMayor de Blasio says he will continue Bloomberg’s battle against sugary drinks.Sugary drinks continue to be the largest single contributor to obesity, the official said.
De Blasio earlier this month said he would continue Bloomberg’s fight to ban the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces. The city’s lawyers are appealing a state court ruling last year that shot down the controversial proposal.
One 30-second spot featured on the Health Department’s website warns New Yorkers that sugary drinks can lead to blindness and amputations, and features an x-ray of a foot with decaying toes.
“You can drink yourself sick with sugary drinks,” the ad says. “Sugars are dumped into the bloodstream with every drink, which can lead to fat build up in and around vital organs.”
“The graphic spots, which show grisly images of how consuming sugary drinks can lead to diabetes, obesity and heart disease, are playing on television, five months after Bloomberg left office.”
“Sugary drinks continue to be the largest single contributor to obesity, the official said.”
This is pure bullsh#t. In the first place, the vast majority of these drinks are NOT made with sugar, but with HFCS, or even worse, aspartame. So to classify them as ‘sugary’ is an out-and-out lie.
And secondly, that cr@p they sell as ‘diet’ is ANYTHING BUT. That sh#t’ll pack on the tonnage faster than real sugar ever will.
And kill you quicker in the process.