Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Mississippi forbids local laws on nutrition, super-size drinks

I suppose it should be no surprise that Mississippi wants to protect its post as the USA's obesity capital. What strikes me most in the statements by politicians and lobbyists about the issue is that they are using exactly the same language and positions as opponents of such things as indoor air regulations, workplace safety and workers rights measures, and a long list of consumer protections. They are using a script perfected by the tobacco industry, which worked behind the scenes state by state to pass "pre-emption" laws like this that block individual communities from enacting reasonable measures through the democratic process. Once again, business interests and campaign donors defeat the public welfare. http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE92I15O20130319?irpc=932

Posted via email from Doug's posterous