EDITORIAL - Softdrinks ban solves nothing

Reps. Kaka Bag-ao and Leny Robredo have the right concerns but the wrong approach in introducing a bill that seeks to ban the sale of softdrinks in schools. Such a ban smacks of unfair trade practice and by singling out softdrinks constitutes class legislation.

There is no argument that softdrinks, owing to their sugar content, poses certain health risks. But an outright ban against it in schools neither eliminates the risk, as children can still drink softdrinks outside schools, nor addresses the problem.

The contention of Bag-ao and Robredo that the state has the duty to protect children does not rise or fall on whether children are prevented from drinking softdrinks in schools or not. There are other ways of discouraging children from drinking softdrinks in schools without having to actually ban the item.

Bag-ao and Robredo cite studies to support their claim about the health risks of softdrinks. What they conveniently ignore is the fact that for every study showing a risk, there is another study showing a benefit - the moral being that if you believe all the studies you read, you might as well shoot yourself in the head.

But if Bag-ao and Robredo are truly concerned about the health of schoolchildren, why stop with the softdrinks? Why not include other items as well? Bottled water? There are studies that show they are not as safe as most people think they are? How about all those junkfood? Studies abound against them. Ban them too!

And while we are at it, why don't Bag-ao and Robredo ban the paint used in painting schoolbuildings and classrooms as there are studies that show they contain lead. How about the pencils and the erasers? Even the plastic covers of books and notebooks could be dangerous. Google it, honorables, for more studies.

By the way, has it occurred to Bag-ao and Robredo that colds are contagious and that children are most susceptible to diseases, including colds? No need for studies on that one as it is conventional wisdom. So why not ban teachers from attending classes if they have colds?

There are far more important and sensible things that Bag-ao and Robredo can attend to other than trying to ban softdrinks in schools or wherever. If health of schoolchildren is their concern, why don't they look into why, halfway through "walang korap walang mahirap," many pupils still hold classes under mango trees.