Revealed: The shocking amount of sugar in fizzy drinks as New York restaurants face $200 FINE for selling super-size sodas

Ban won't apply to diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based or alcoholic drinks

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke to MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell today to respond to the countless critics of his controversial big soda ban.

Comparing sugary soft drinks to asbestos, he argued that the government has a responsibility to regulate how New Yorkers quench their thirst.

He believes that banning the bubbles will combat obesity, diabetes, and other health problems plaguing the people of the Big Apple.

If Hizzoner has his way, any soft drink over 16 ounces (1 pint) will be outlawed across the city by March 2013 and restaurants that don't fall in line will be slapped with a $200 fine.

What's allowed: The ban will allow New Yorkers to still order 8oz cans (left), 12oz bottles (center left), 16oz bottles (center right), but not 20oz bottles (right) in restaurants, sports stadiums and movie theaters 'The idea is you tend to eat all of the food in the container. If it's bigger, you eat more,' he said. 'If somebody put a smaller glass or plate or bowl in front of you, you would eat less.'

Mayor Bloomberg, who was the driving force behind the city's calorie counting and anti-smoking campaigns, hopes to implement the ban soon.

It will affect everything from 7-Eleven Big Gulps to Starbucks Ventis. RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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Mystery naked couple caught on camera having sex in office... Share this article Share 'You can still buy large bottles in stores, but in a restaurant, 16 ounces is the maximum that they would be able to serve in one cup,' he explained. 'If you want to order two cups of the same time, that's fine. It's your choice.'

The proposed limit, 16 oz, is the equivalent to one pint, but it will not apply to diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based drinks or alcoholic beverages.

It also would not affect beverages sold in grocery or convenience stores. Controversial: A proposed ban on large sugary drinks in both New York City and Cambridge, Massachusetts has started a heated debate Pop: He believes that banning the bubbles will combat obesity, diabetes, and other health problems plaguing the people of the Big Apple Obestity battle: Drinks this large would be eliminated from restaurants in Cambridge, Massachusetts, if Davis' proposed ban goes through

'We're not taking away anybody's right to do things, we're forcing you to understand that you have to make the conscious decision to go from one cup to another,' he said to Mrs Mitchell.

Comparing oversize soda drinks in restaurants to asbestos exposure or smoke inhalation, he explains the government's responsibility to 'warn' its citizens.

'If there is asbestos in a room, we don't allow people to go in there,' he argues. 'We would stop people from going in until the asbestos is cleaned up.'

Calling the rationing measure an 'obligation,' he claims its the same as protecting waiters from restaurant-goers smoke.

Poll Should New York Mayor Bloomberg ban 16oz sodas to combat obesity? Yes No Should New York Mayor Bloomberg ban 16oz sodas to combat obesity? Yes 2233 votes

No 3157 votes Now share your opinion





'In New York City you can smoke. You can't smoke where other people would have to be there and couldn't -- because they needed the job -- leave,' he said. 'You can smoke in volunteer place but you can't smoke in a place where there are employees.'



Besides his verbal arguments about civil liberties, Mayor Bloomberg also looked to statistics to push his unpopular proposal.



According to the New York City Health Department, more than half of adult New Yorkers are overweight (34 per cent) or obese (22 per cent).

Obesity also kills thousands of New Yorkers every year and costs $4billion in health care costs.

The single largest driver of these alarming obesity numbers is sugary drinks, according to Mayor Bloomberg, which have grown in size.



For example, the size of individual McDonald’s drinks have increased 457 per cent since 1955.



Mayor Bloomberg, who was the driving force behind the city's calorie counting and anti-smoking campaigns, hopes to implement the ban soon.

His close attention to health issues has earned him the nickname 'Nanny Bloomberg' and it's left a bad taste in some residents' mouths.



'If people want to drink 24 ounces, it’s their decision,' said Zara Atal, 20, a college student from the Upper East Side to the New York Times.

Think Before You Drink: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, pictured with his daughter Georgina, right, and a Diet Coke, left

Before the proposal can curb New Yorkers' thirst, the Board of Health must approve it. Experts believe approval is all but confirmed, considering that all the members were appointed by Mayor Bloomberg.

The ban would take effect six months after the board approves of it and would be enforced by the Health Department's restaurant inspection team.

Eateries will have nine months from the adoption of the proposal to implement changes, or they will face $200 fines.

The NYC Beverage Association balked at Mr Bloomberg's idea.

Just the Sip: The ban will affect everything from 7-Eleven Big Gulps to Starbucks Ventis, leaving a bad taste in some resident's mouths Expansion: Mayor Bloomberg claims individual McDonald's drinks have increased 457 per cent in volume since 1955

'There they go again. The New York City Health Department's unhealthy obsession with attacking soft drinks is again pushing them over the top,' spokesperson Stefan Friedman said.



'The city is not going to address the obesity issue by attacking soda, because soda is not driving the obesity rates. The overall American diet is,' they said in a statement to CBS .

Nanny: Mr Bloomberg has been criticized for banning bad foods like a protective nanny

A number of New Yorkers are also upset by the ban, saying that it is a change that will dramatically effect their lifestyle.

'He can try, but he can’t stop people from getting what they want,' cabdriver Morshed Chowbhury, 27, told The Daily News .



'Some days I can’t survive without coffee or big sodas.'



The Mayor admitted he occasionally sips a diet soda on a hot day, but argues that there won't be any laws restricting the amount of small sodas one can purchase.

Some who plan to bypass the rules feel it will simply be a matter of buying more.



'If I can buy one drink, I'll buy two smaller ones,' Helen O'Connor, 40, told The Daily News.



'He's going overboard,' she said.



This is not the first round in the fight against sugary drinks: Mr Bloomberg first asked for legislators in the state capitol to put an additional tax on soda, which was rebuked.



He then lobbied federal lawmakers to ban food stamp recipients from buying sugar-filled drinks with their money, which also failed to stick.



Because the rule will come in the form of an amendment to the city's health code and not a law, it will not have to be approved by the City Council or any governing body aside from the Board of Health before it is put into effect.



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