New Delhi, Aug 09: I was cynical, but I wanted to be sure. Would people, especially youngsters, actually stop drinking colas? In my snap visit to the major fast-food joints in the city, I found college-goers still want their cola.
For someone with a strong aversion to aerated drinks, the cola controversy meant nothing to me. But for the inquisitive journalist I am, I was curious to figure out how others were managing without their dose of the deadly drink. I reckoned a raconteur of international fast food joints like McDonald, Subway and Pizza Hut, which offer combo offers, would be a good barometer of public perception. So, on a sultry lazy afternoon, I settled down with a cappuccino at McDonald`s and threw a cursory glance around. And figured I was the odd one out – to be sipping coffee, that is.
Every tray had a soft drink, irrespective of the contents, combo or not. Ditto Pizza Hut. Only, the cola brand was different. Subway had the same story. A cola is a constant at any of these outlets. Understandably, the management is unperturbed as well. There are no plans of introducing any other drink or withdrawing the staple cola.

Another commercial complex, some more outlets and several coffees later, the observation did not change. At one of the outlets, I approached a group of college-goers celebrating a friend`s birthday. Here`s their take.
"Com`on yaar, I am just having Coke, don`t make it sound as if it`s coke (cocaine)." The rest burst into giggles.
"I know about the harm a cigarette does, but I am still hooked to it." Everyone nods in unison.
"Earlier it was the water, then veggies, and now cola. Soon, it would be all other foods. You wouldn`t stop drinking and eating, would you?"

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"They even say milk isn`t good. I didn`t stop having milk, why should I stop having cola?"

"I still don`t know how much damage it would cause in the long run. So, why bother?"
So, the verdict is out.