A bill was recently passed in the Mississippi state legislature that will prevent local governments from putting limits on the portions of food available for sale.
Gov. Phil Bryant recently signed Bill 2687, dubbed the Anti-Bloomberg Bill, which will prevent local governments from enacting rules that limit portion sizes.
The bill was drafted as a response to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s attempt to ban large, sugary drinks from restaurants and convenience stores within the city.
Sen. Tony Smith, a Republican for District 47, co-authored the bill with Melanie Sojourner, who was unavailable to discuss her point of view on the topic.
Smith defended the bill, saying it was a preventative measure.
“This was to prevent municipalities and just government in general from continuing to over-regulate businesses,” Smith said.
Smith also said he believes this is a proactive step that will prevent cities in Mississippi from going into a “nanny” state, a term used by the government when policies or regulations interfere with personal choice.
Mississippi House Democrat Johnny W. Stringer is somewhat unsure of the bill.
“Well, I hate to tell local government what they can or can’t do because we don’t like federal government to tell us what we can do,” Stringer said. “Local government is run by local people.”
Smith said the legislation should come down from the state government. This was his thinking behind writing the bill to be brought before the state legislature.
“If we need to do some regulations, let’s do it from the state level where all the cities would operate under the same rules and regulations, that way an operator knows exactly what’s required,” Smith said.
Smith and Stringer said they believe that passing this bill has nothing to do with the obesity rate in Mississippi. Smith thinks the root of the obesity problem is parenting styles and Smith and Stringer agree that not enough education on health is also having a big impact on the issue.
Smith and Stringer also both agree that this bill captures and focuses on individual freedom and choice.
“I don’t know if the bill makes us healthier, I think people need to make their own choices on what they eat,” Stringer said.
Oxford locals are wondering how this legislation is going to affect their eating habits, if at all.
“My kids don’t really get health classes the way they should, like we used to,” said Lynora Jackson, 32-year-old employee at the Chevron Gas Station on Old Taylor Road.
Jackson’s coworker Stella Lewis, 54, agrees with the law and thinks obesity should not be an issue the government should be currently worrying about.
“Let that individual person decide what they want to do, because it’s their choice,” Lewis said.
Jackson said she believes limiting what people eat or drink will not stop them from going back for more.
“They are gonna get what they want regardless, you can’t stop them,” Jackson said.
