Should University Ban Sugar-Sweetened Beverages? Essay

This essay argues in favor of a university ban on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), emphasizing the detrimental health impacts associated with their consumption. The author supports the ban by citing research highlighting the negative effects of SSBs such as blood sugar imbalances, poor dental health, and obesity. The essay acknowledges counterarguments, such as the hydrating properties of SSBs, but counters them by emphasizing the availability of healthier alternatives like water. The author references studies on population-based interventions to reduce SSB consumption and suggests targeted campaigns to educate students about the risks of SSBs. The essay further explores the importance of considering substitute beverages that might arise from the ban, and the potential social and educational benefits of eliminating sugary drinks from the university environment, including improved student health and behavior. The conclusion underscores the significance of the ban in enhancing consumer health and social life, advocating for awareness campaigns to educate people on the hazards of SSB consumption.

Running head: The University Should Enact a Ban against Sugar-Sweetened Beverages on
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The University Should Enact a Ban against Sugar-Sweetened Beverages on Campus
Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been on the rise in the university and as a result,
debates whether they should be banned or not have intensified. Those who argue for the motion
emphasize the negative health impact of sugar-sweetened drinks citing that these beverages lead
to blood sugar extremes, poor dental health, obesity and so forth. Their primary aim is to guide
students and other consumers in the university away from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)
such as juices, teas, and sodas to other risk-free drinks like water. Arguers who argue against ban
of these substances point out that sugar-sweetened drink like soda help in keeping the consumer
hydrated because they contain a lot of water content. In this particular essay, a continuation of
this debate is provided in form of a reflection paper.
Howse, Freeman, Wu, and Rooney (2018) in their study purpose to determine the viewpoints and
attitudes of a given university population towards sugar-sweetened drinks in a university context.
I agree with their views that there is a mounting interest in population-based, environment
centered techniques meant to curtail the usability of sugar-sweetened substances owing to the
health demerits associated with them. However, most of the marketers of SSBs are targeting
young population in a university setting and thus it could be splendid if campaigns can be
directed to this group to explain to them the drawbacks associated with SSBs. In so doing, the
university would make a significant step towards lessening consumptions of these perilous
beverages.
When debating the issue of whether the university should ban sugar-sweetened beverages or not
it is also important to consider other close substitutes which might remain unbanned. Taber and

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other researchers, (2015) in their article lay more emphasize on this particular point and to some
degree I concur with their stand. According to them, policymakers in a university should not
only focus on abolishing the common SSBs such as soda and juices but also other uncommon but
sugar-sweetened drinks which might subject the consumers to more severe risks. It is through
their argument that I learn that banning of Sugar-Sweetened beverages might come along with
other adverse setbacks. Students might start consuming other harmful substances as substitutes to
the banned ones. So, inasmuch as laws to ban SSBs are to be implemented, it is important to
consider other possible consequences which might befall.
Sundborn, (2014), says that prohibiting intake of sugary drinks in a school setting leads to both
social and educational benefits. According to him, excessive sugar intake contributes to
aggressive behaviors, suicidal thoughts, attention deficit, and dysphoria. I also believe that
outlawing SSBs from the university will not only boost students’ health status but also their
social performance. What is more, teaching and non-teaching staff who consume sugary drinks
in the university will also be on the safe side. They will also be able to circumvent the negative
results of drinking sugar-sweetened drinks and lead a healthier life both inside and outside the
university premises.
In conclusion, it is significant to emphasize that the importance of banning sugar-sweetened
beverages in a university setting cannot be underestimated. As substantiated in this position
paper, proper regulation of this group of drinks comes along with a number of advantages. Apart
from enhancing the health status of consumers, it also enriches their social life. We have seen
that excessive intake of sugar leads to issues such as suicidal feelings, impaired cognitive
development, aggressive behaviors among others. This implies that banning SSBs in the

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university will help shape the life of learners in various dimensions. In order to achieve this with
ease, a campaign program can be initiated to create awareness and educate people on the hazards
concomitant to the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks.

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References
Howse, E., Freeman, B., Wu, J. H., & Rooney, K. (2018). ‘The university should promote health,
but not enforce it’: opinions and attitudes about the regulation of sugar-sweetened
beverages in a university setting. BMC public health, 18(1), 76.
Taber, D. R., Chriqui, J. F., Vuillaume, R., Kelder, S. H., & Chaloupka, F. J. (2015). The
association between state bans on soda only and adolescent substitution with other sugar-
sweetened beverages: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Behavioral
Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12(1), S7.
Thornley, S., & Sundborn, G. (2014). The case to ban sugary food and drink from schools: these
products are addictive, and kids will learn best without them. Pacific health dialog, 20(1),
17-21.