Parents busy tallying up summer reading lists and preparing for another year of shuttling back and forth to after-school events, overseeing homework, and shopping for appropriate clothes and shoes in larger sizes. One thing they don't have to worry about? Some kids buying soda (pop, if you prefer) in school during certain hours.
The American Beverage Association (ABA) has taken care of it. In the one step forward two steps back world of public education, major soda companies agreed to voluntarily limit soda sales during school hours, indeed - schools will only allow water, sports drinks and juices during school hours. But the ban doesn't apply to high schools, only middle schools. The new rule attracts criticism, since high schoolers buy the most soda is sold. Furthermore, since many schools had already limited soda, the "voluntarily" effort seems like a preemptive jig to evade imposed bans. Juice and sports drinks pack nearly as much of a sugar-punch as soda does.
In other school news: Drug exposure in high schools and middle schools increased, according to a recent study at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA). The survey found that 62% of high school students and 28% of middle school students report that peers use or sell drugs, and increase over previous years. The teens say their drug use is largely influenced by their parents attitudes towards drugs and alcohol.
Acronym Required previously commented on childhood obesity and soda and also on the indomitable success of Coca Cola at rebuffing criticism.
