Soft drinks distributors now forbidden in French Schools

[Marla_Singer]

After several weeks of controversy and undecision, French senators and deputies have finally agreed to ban beverage and chocolate bars distributors from French schools, the purpose being the fight against obesity.

The law should be finally adopted at the Parliament on Friday. Among other things, advertisements for high calory products will be forced to warn people about the risk of obesity linked to the consumption of those products. A bit like it's already the case for alcohol and tobacco.

According to the French Agency for Food Health Security (Afssa), commercials promoting sugared or chocolated food represent 62% of advertisements shown during children TV programmes.

According to experts, the future law represents the first concrete initiative to fight against obesity, a problem which is currently booming in France as it has boomed 15 years before in the United States.

"This law will allow us to intervene now, before we will face the catastrophic levels of other countries where obesity threatens the extension of life expectancy", has evaluated the chairman of the Affsa Martin Hirsh, phoned on thursday by the AFP. He has also recalled that "one children on seven is already over-weighted in our country".

 

[_Philospher_]

A rather wise decision by France to keep ther nation healthy! I applaud their deicision. (or perhaps this is the France's response to the America's "Freedom Fries" )

 

[Riesstiu IV]

Sounds like a good idea to me but I might be biased since I think Coca-Cola is a disgusting drink... But is obesity a problem in France? Only Chirac and Le Pen seem to be obese.

 

[cgannon64]

Its just gonna be like Heavyweights.

 

[Marla_Singer]

A rather wise decision by France to keep ther nation healthy! I applaud their deicision. (or perhaps this is the France's response to the America's "Freedom Fries" )

Well, US products aren't specifically targetted, we have quite a large panel of domestic junk food in here. And it's not really forbidden, it's simply that we wouldn't be able to buy junk food inside schools anymore...

I've hesitated on how to introduce this thread. I've finally opted for British sensationalism to be sure people would be interested to read it.

 

[CurtSibling]

Ban cola!?!

That's unthinkable - How could a man live without the other black liquid apart from oil that drives Americans wild?

Truly terrible!
France must resist now!

 

[Immortal]

coca-cola makes my veneers hurt

 

[Mise]

If they want to reduce the amount of sugary food and drink consumed, they should tax sugary food and drink. If they want to reduce the number of fat people, they should tax fat people.

On a serious note, if I'm correct, the UK also has laws which ban sugary foods being served (or sold or something) in schools. My opinion? Why is the government telling me what to eat and drink? This is ludicrous.

 

[stratego]

Too much Coca-Cola makes you wanna go oui oui duirng class time.

 

[CurtSibling]

I've finally opted for British sensationalism to be sure people would be interested to read it.

You opted, and you got it!

I can't believe France could be so ruthless!
The days of Napoleon have returned for sure!

 

[ainwood]

I believe that in New Zealand they were talking about banning any shops selling junk food within 500m of a school - that is until they realised just how unenforceable and stupid that was!

I lke the intent of the initiative, albeit a bit draconian in the implimentation.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

One doesn't need Coca-cola. You can create the same drink by creating a mixture of Acid and sugar... or just try PEPSI.

 

[Marla_Singer]

If they want to reduce the amount of sugary food and drink consumed, they should tax sugary food and drink. If they want to reduce the number of fat people, they should tax fat people.

On a serious note, if I'm correct, the UK also has laws which ban sugary foods being served (or sold or something) in schools. My opinion? Why is the government telling me what to eat and drink? This is ludicrous.

Very interesting post. I agree.

 

[CurtSibling]

Everyone will ignore this law anyway -

And anyone who wants to part me from my tooth-rotting sugar drink will eat machine pistol fire!

 

[Akka]

Tsk, tsk, banning distribution of sugary drinks in public schools, and banning Coca from France, are actually extremely different things.

I accuse you of false advertisement and shameless twisting of the fact in order to get a shocking title, Marla

Good law all-around, anyway. I'm all for it.

 

[newfangle]

Just another thing for France's coersive government to ban.

But then again, they are public schools, so they could use the kids as slaves for all I care.

 

[CurtSibling]

Good law all-around, anyway. I'm all for it.

Gah!

Et tu, Akka?

Cola traitors! - Guards! Round them up!
(phew - maybe I should cut down after all!)

 

[Marla_Singer]

Tsk, tsk, banning distribution of sugary drinks in public schools, and banning Coca from France, are actually extremely different things.

I accuse you of false advertisement and shameless twisting of the fact in order to get a shocking title, Marla

One doesn't need Coca-cola. You can create the same drink by creating a mixture of Acid and sugar... or just try PEPSI.

After a second thought, I think I should change the title...

 

[Akka]

And another senseless comment.
There is nothing coercive in this. Public school are the property of the State, so it's only perfect sense they do refuse unhealthy products in them.
Children are supposed to be irresponsible before the law. As such, it's perfectly normal that they are taken care of properly when they are under the State responsability, just like a parent is supposed to take care of his children when they are under his responsability.

And finally, the warning on the adds is only informative, nothing coercitive here.

That's really pushing the notion of coercion well beyond the limit of ridiculousness.

 

[nonconformist]

We have been banned from drinking coke at school.

Just another thing for France's coersive government to ban.

But then again, they are public schools, so they could use the kids as slaves for all I care.

What definition of public do you mean? State or private?