Quinnipiac: New Yorkers Don't Want Their Sodas Downsized

Opposition has hardened against New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to limit the size of sodas, a new Quinnipiac University poll revealed on Thursday.

Fifty four percent of Big Apple voters are now against the idea, compared with 51 percent who said they opposed it in June, shortly after it was first announced. A total of 42 percent support the plan, down from 46 percent in June.

Bloomberg’s plan would limit the size of sodas sold in restaurants and delis to 16 oz. It would not affect supermarkets or diet drinks. He wants it instituted in a bid to reduce obesity.

Another Bloomberg “nanny state” plan — to limit the availability of baby formula in a bid to boost breast feeding — also gets the thumbs down, with 56 percent opposed and only 24 percent in favor.

However other Bloomberg proposals get strong support with 56 percent saying they are in favor of a crackdown on alcohol abuse with only 17 percent against, and 74 percent saying they like his program to rent bicycles in the city.

The three-term mayor gets strong support for his total public health program with 50 percent supporting him and 38 percent opposing.

“Overall, New Yorkers give Hizzoner good grades on public-health as they reject the criticism that it's ‘nanny government,’” said Maurice Carroll, director of Quinnipiac’s polling institute.

Other figures from the New York City poll:

• Whites favor the New York Police Department’s stop and frisk policy, however it is strongly opposed by blacks, meaning that overall it is rejected by 50 percent to 45 percent of voters;
• NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly receives a 64 percent job approval rating;
• More than three out of every four voters support the concept of protecting civil liberties above taking all steps to end crime.