Precocious toddlers who've graduated from Hooked on Phonics will not have to be bothered by irritating fine-print warnings about tooth decay on their sippy cups and bottles....at least not in New York state.
Free-thinker libertarian Gov David Paterson just vetoed a bill that would have required a warning label about the risk of early childhood tooth decay from undefined prolonged use of a "vessel with a duckbilled lid, bill-shaped extension or bill-shaped spout." The legislation also covered baby bottles.
A New York Daily News editorial in June called the bill "nanny statism run mad."
After what I can only imagine were countless sleepless nights mulling over the pros and cons of this critical and potentially historic legislation, Paterson came to the conclusion that "Brief warning labels are simply not the best vehicle to convey detailed information about general parental practice and proper use of a product that is not inherently dangerous."
So, doctor, just know that your patients are out there in a dangerous world...it's up to you to spread the message.