Sugary drinks banned by Montreal: “a movement which is likely to take the extent of the”

PHOTO COURTESY ROBERT GUERIN
The coach and president of the Ligue de hockey adulte de Montréal, Robert Guerin, is for the prohibition phase-in of the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in municipal buildings such as arenas.

Sarah Daoust-Braun

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 20:08

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Tuesday, December 12, 2017 20:08

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The gradual elimination of the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in municipal buildings of Montreal, such as arenas, is well received by hockey players, just like organizations involved in public health.

“What we want is to encourage physical exercise, that people are healthy. If it violates it, so much the better if it is banned. The players will change their habits, to drink more water,” said the president of the provincial League of garage du Québec Jonathan Coulombe, who plays hockey once a week.

“I find that this is excellent news, it sends a signal to governments and to other cities that sugary drinks, what drinks are unhealthy and that they do not have their place in the daily diet,” said Kevin Bilodeau, director of government relations for the heart and stroke Foundation and the STROKE. According to the organization, a young consumes, on average, the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar in sugar-sweetened beverages per day.

Mylène Drouin, chief medical officer of public health of Montreal, believes that the decision to ban progressively beverages such as soft drinks and energy drinks is very positive. “It is a movement which could take the magnitude, which has the potential to spread into our workplaces and other spheres”,-she pointed out Tuesday on the waves of LCN.

The ban would affect the sale of drinks called sports such as Gatorade, which is appreciated by many athletes. “The arenas are frequented by many young people. The consumption by children of this type of drink is not recommended by the canadian paediatric Society. We speak of consumption for top-level athletes”, explained the director of Coalition Poids Corinne Voyer.

Jonathan Coulombe has recognized, however, that the prohibition of sports drinks in the arenas, where they are often popular, would be “exaggerated”. “But we understand that this may not be what is best for the health.”

Robert Guerin, hockey League adult of Montreal, pointed out that convenience stores and grocery stores will still be able to provide the players with drinks. “The removal of the Gatorade really does not bother me, as long as there are other opportunities for sale such as flavored water.”