Bill 282 - Mississippi Obesity Legislation Faces Opposition

Mississippi has a new bill coming up before politicians slated to help fight obesity in the state that has the highest obesity rate in all of America.

Bill 282 sets guidelines for determining whether a restaurant patron is obese based on criteria set forth by the Mississippi State Health Department. If Bill 282 is passed, dining establishments could be fined or have their Vendor’s License revoked for serving food to those that the Mississippi Government deems “obese.”

One of the Bill’s three authors, State Rep. John Read (Republican) said he wasn’t trying to offend anyone and didn’t think it would become a law. He said “I was trying to shed a little light on the No. 1 problem in Mississippi.”

Needless to say, many people aren’t happy with this idea. Steve Holland, the Democratic chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, stated he will “pocket veto” the bill. “It’s dead on arrival at my desk.”

I think that this is a touchy subject that can’t be mandated. No restaurant owner, manager or server wants to be the one to decide whether or not to serve a patron - that’s what some people would consider “discrimination.” No business owner in his right mind would want to interfere with a patron’s free will and turn down business.

If the government really wanted to help, they’d do better to educate the public about the importance of a healthier diet and exercise. Punishing restaurants is no solution to this growing problem - I’m sure of it.

What are your thoughts on Bill 282? Do you feel it infringes on consumer’s rights?