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California Bill Would Ban Sports Drinks From Schools
By ROBIN HINDERY
Associated Press Writer
May 27, 2010
Sacramento, Calif. (AP) -California students seeking a lunchtime electrolyte
boost would be out of luck under a bill passed Thursday by the state
Senate.
The measure would prohibit sales of sugar-sweetened sports drinks
in public middle schools and high schools. It's sponsored by Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of his effort to combat childhood obesity.
California already bans sports drinks in elementary schools. Sodas
have been absent from all school vending machines since 2007.
But older students can still buy electrolyte-replacement beverages
— an unhealthy loophole that SB1255 would close, said its author,
Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles.
Padilla stressed that the bill would not prohibit student athletes
from consuming sports drinks during after-school practices or competitions.
"We're not touching the football team, we're not touching the soccer
team," he said.
Critics of the bill called it the latest example of the state trying
to control personal choices.
"I think this is nanny government run amok," said Sen. Tony Strickland,
R-Thousand Oaks.
He said the bill would simply delay the consumption of sugary drinks
until after school, not stop it from happening.
SB1255 passed by a 21-11 vote and now moves to the Assembly.
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