What do you think of New York City's ban on the use of trans-fats in restaurants?

Question

Even if you don't currently live in NYC, it's inevitable that this will become the status quo across the country, so it WILL affect you.
1. Do you feel that this ban of trans-fats inhibits your right to choose how you use your body?
2. Do you think that the benefits of banning this unhealthy substance and the reduction in mortality, obesity and healthcare costs to others outweighs the right of individuals to determine how they wish to treat their bodies?
3. Can you point out any correlations between this and other freedoms that we do or do not have in our society?

I just wonder why the government feels as though it has the right to regulate people's free will with regard to this, but then they fail to outlaw smoking and alcohol. Who gets to choose what things are and are not open to regulation?

GOOSE&TONIC: Bingo! The hypocrisy is maddening, isn't it?

If you DO think the ban on trans-fats infringes on your "right to choose", are there any current similar laws that you AGREE with? ex. laws forbidding the use of cocaine; laws limiting the consumption of alcohol to those who are over 21, even if they are given the alcohol by their parents; laws that say if you attempt suicide or other forms of self-harm, that a court could declare you to be incompetent and commit you to a mental institution "for your own good"?

Also, how about the proposed legislation in Texas that smoking would be outlawed in homes and cars where children are present? This is already a law there affecting foster parents; you can't be a foster parent in Texas if you smoke AT ALL. Why not extend this to all parents to protect ALL children?

If you are IN FAVOR of the ban on trans-fats; are there any other controls on personal choices and behavior that we don't have that you'd like to see? ex. restrictions on portion sizes in restaurants; banning of sugary sodas? Why do you feel that these types of regulations would be acceptable? Do the considerations of societal harmony and health ever outweigh the personal "right to choose" that many believe should be the only and ultimate consideration?

Just one more Q, I promise...Do you think that the laws of a society not only serve to encourage or deter specific actions, but that they also serve to send a broader message of what that society, as a whole, values and condemns? In other words, do you think laws have a higher meaning than just "telling people what to do"?

LEE B: But isn't it inescapable that in certain situations, one person's wishes and/or rights will be trampled by virtue of simply upholding another person's wishes and/or rights?
Banning smoking in public infringes on smokers' rights to smoke, but upholds the right of non-smokers to go where they want and to breathe clean(er) air.
Allowing smoking in public upholds the right of smokers to pollute their own bodies, but also infringes on the right of non-smokers to breathe clean(er) air.
If upholding the rights of one person unavoidably infringes on the rights of another person, isn't it a fact of life that society must choose the option that is least likely to affect the most people in the least egregious way?

LEE B: Sorry to give you a brain cramp! :-) My husband gets exhausted with me sometimes too. It's understandable. Despite many who would imply that I am a downtrodden and controlled SAHM wifey, I am actually quite stubborn and my husband would readily agree that I wear the pants in this family...he loves it...

Answer 1

1) yes
2) no
3) I simply don't understand why it is my body when I'm pregnant with another human being but it isn't my body if I want to chow on some french fries. If you're going to be ripping away our personal freedoms at least be consistent.

Answer 2

As a Canadian I am equally excited and troubled about this ban. I fear that the rights of americans have been undermined here. Sure trans fats are the worst and should be banned but shouldn't the american people have the right to choose that. I completely understand the need to ban such an unhealthy thing. One has to wonder what next. They see fit to ban this why not the right to eat meat or to shop where you want or to stay out late,etc. I may not be a smoker but did you hear anyone asking us about the laws against where you can smoke?

Answer 3

1. Of course the ban inhibits my right to choose.

2. No the benefits do not outweigh my right to treat my body as I wish.

3. Of course it is taking away my right to do as I wish with my body, such as outlawing abortion. It is only another step in undermining the American people and telling them that they are unable to make these decisions for themselves. Give us the info and let us decide. Another correlation is my local movie theater telling me that I, as a parent cannot make the choice of whether my child can see an R rated movie with me. Would I ever take my child to an R rated film, no shes 8, but I should have the right to choose that or not. All this is is taking personal freedoms away from us, which in my opinion is criminal. Thats all i can give you is an opinion.

Answer 4

Good question!
1. Yes it does. Booze is not banned
2. Absolute! If they do not have the will to do it themselves the benefits in doing it for them are tremendous. After all, smoking was successfully banned in restaurants and many public places. People can still kill themselves, it is a little more pro-active.
3. We cannot drink and drive yet we can drink as much as we want at home. We can not use (or abuse) certain drugs that would cause harm to ourselves or society. If people could use things in moderation perhaps the govt. would not have to legislate a solution.
This is a very tough question for a libertarian!

So does anyone miss the trans fat in their Oreos? Another argument can be made that while adults can decide whether or not to consume trans fats kids can not. Another alternative would be to severly tax trans fat containg products to pay for medical care. The Canadians very smartly tax the hell out of cigs and booze, why not trans fats? People and companies would quickly come up with very cost effective trans fat replacements!

Answer 5

I don't feel that is any governments duty to dictate how I use my body. If you don't like the menu at fast food restaurants...don't eat there. If you don't care for programing on TV...don't watch it. Don't dictate to me what to do just because you don't believe in it. People with unhealthy eating habits will continue their bad habits no matter what. Is the government going to go to all homes & prepare healthy meals for its citizens? Yea, right. As for health care, why will insurance companies pay for treatment on heart attacks & cancer but not programs to help people stop.

As far as #3 is concerned. You know my stance!

Concerning the ban on smoking you mention. It is now illegal to smoke in any public place. This is the case in many states. as far as I am concerned if it is too smoky for you...leave.

Answer 6

Let's face it. The government hasn't outlawed smoking or alcohol because it's big business and the government, both federal and state, make biliions and billions of dollars from taxing cigarettes and alcohol.
There are many instances of one agency of government doing one thing and another department of the same government doing the exact opposite. Cigarettes & Alcohol are probably the most glaring, but there are many others.

Answer 7

I think it is a good idea. People in a hurry and have to eat fast food because they are busy and work hard should be guaranteed a good safe, healthy food supply. I don't feel it is a violation of freedoms. It is a healthy alternative, we should all want that.

Answer 8

Where does the banning stop?

They ban trans fats now. What do they ban next?

It isn't my fault people can't stop eating and they get fat. It isn't my fault people are to lazy to work out. Why does the government have the right to tell me what I can and cannot eat?

Answer 9

I Love it! I am sick and tired of paying for healthcare for the obese. Hopefully this will cut down on the current Diabetes epidemic.

Answer 10

GOVERNMENT IS REGULATING THE PRIVATE LIVES OF CITIZENS.
I CAN THINK OF 20 MORE THINGS THAT ADVERSELY AFFECT HUMANS BUT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT.
IT'S A JOKE.