Calling it "the single biggest step any gov't has taken to curb obesity," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg took to Twitter yesterday to celebrate approval of his proposal to ban the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, street carts and movie theaters in the city, reports Michael M. Grynbaum.
"The measure, unless blocked by a judge, will take effect in six months," writes Grynbaum. "The health board vote was the only regulatory approval needed to become binding in the city, but the American soft-drink industry has strongly opposed the plan and vowed this week to try to fight the measure by other means, possibly in the courts."
The ban would apply to sweetened drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces, and "would affect a range of popular sweetened beverages, including energy drinks, presweetened iced teas and common brands of nondiet soda."
Fear not Big Gulp fans, since the ban only applies to establishments that receive inspection grades from the health department, convenience stores like 7-Eleven would be exempt.
