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Margot Sanger-Katz reports in the NYT that soda consumption is experiencing a serious and sustained decline as sales of full-calorie soda in the United States have plummeted by more than 25 percent over the past twenty years. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they are actively trying to avoid the drinks that have been a mainstay of American culture and bottled water is now on track to overtake soda as the largest beverage category in two years. The changing patterns of soda drinking appear to come thanks, in part, to a loud campaign to eradicate sodas. School cafeterias and vending machines no longer contain regular sodas. Many workplaces and government offices have similarly prohibited their sale.
For many public health advocates, soda has become the new tobacco — a toxic product to be banned, taxed and stigmatized. "There will always be soda, but I think the era of it being acceptable for kids to drink soda all day long is passing, slowly," says Marion Nestle. "In some socioeconomic groups, it's over." Soda represents nearly 25% of the U.S. beverage market and its massive scale have guaranteed profit margins for decades. Historically, beverage preferences are set in adolescence, the first time that most people begin choosing and buying a favorite brand. But the declines in soda drinking appear to be sharpest among young Americans. "Kids these days are growing up with all of these other options, and there are some parents who say, 'I really want my kids to drink juice or a bottled water,' " says Gary A. Hemphill. "If kids grow up without carbonated soft drinks, the likelihood that they are going to grow up and, when they are 35, start drinking is very low."
(Score: 1) by Marco2G on Sunday October 04 2015, @03:21PM
The problem is that we seem to be unable to take things in healthy measures. A soda once in a while isn't a problem. However, when it's the only thing a kid consumes all thay long, then it does become a problem. Consuming that much sugar daily just isn't healthy.
One can of pop every few days doesn't hurt.
Of course, bottled water is an idiocy in and of itself. I guess it is more understandable in the parts of the world where tap water is unclean or needs to be treated with chlorine. In Switzerland, tap water has higher quality than bottled water, so...
Also, I find it hilarious that this woman has the last name 'Nestle' in this context.
(Score: 1) by Marco2G on Sunday October 04 2015, @03:23PM
I'd like to add that a cigarette or any other tobacco product every few days wouldn't be a problem either. But 40 of them daily sure are.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 05 2015, @02:00AM
The problem is that for many people including myself the one in every few days quickly becomes one every day, then two and before the first month has passed back at a pack a day. I've stayed clean of tobacco for two months now. I've quit numerous times. One time even for two years. The average time I manage to stay clean is around 3 weeks, so I'm doing very well now and feeling very good about it. Don't underestimate the addictiveness of nicotine, it's a formidable opponent, you can't win.
(Score: 1) by Marco2G on Monday October 05 2015, @11:42AM
You're right but that's not at all what I was saying ;). I commented on the amount not how hard it is to remain at that dosage.
Some people deal better with addictive substances (including sugar) than others. If you notice that you cannot control the amount, you'd better stop altogether, if you can. So much is true. However, if someone can control his intake, there's no reason to make them feel bad about themself.
(Score: 1) by deadstick on Sunday October 04 2015, @08:48PM
Of course, bottled water is an idiocy in and of itself
At the college where I teach, the water fountains have a fitting specifically made to refill your water bottle. You can use your plastic bottle until it gets grungy, and if you lose it, so what...
(Score: 1) by Marco2G on Monday October 05 2015, @11:40AM
If you lose it it becomes non-decomposing garbage somewhere but likely not where you want to have it.
Also, plastic containers suck for food and beverages.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 04 2015, @09:30PM
Our tap water tastes like... well, it tastes like the smell of a sewer. Even a charcoal filter didn't help, so we go through 2 cases of bottled water per month. No way around it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 05 2015, @09:13AM
Same here in Denmark. Doesn't prevent people from buying the stupid bottles. At work I think we buy them a pallet at a time, maybe half a pallet - and that's for a 10 person company.