There’s more to Toronto’s cola wars. Pop and energy drinks may soon be off your menu at community centres and arenas. While those supporting the ban argue that Toronto should promote healthy options as Canada is witnessing a rise in the rates of childhood obesity, a councillor has dubbed it as another example of the “long arm of government intruding on people's lives”.

"I'm curious how I've ever survived all these years having access to pop in vending machines and choice," quipped Councillor Brian Ashton (Scarborough Southwest). It’s another instance of city council’s bans and prohibitions that are aimed at meddling in every nook and cranny of people's lives and wanting to manage it, he pointed out.

Notably, the city council staff is proposing that the city gradually go 100% healthy by 2014. Then, only fruit or vegetable juices, low fat and non-fat milk products, fortified soy beverages and unflavoured water would be offered at community centres and arenas. Also, unflavoured water is only permissible until the end of 2011 because of the bottled water ban.

Councillor Janet Davis, Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee says if adults want to go and get a Coke, they could do so by going across the street to the variety store. Not only the city, but entire Canada has a serious childhood-obesity issue, which needs strict measures, asserts Davis.