By By Arthur Weinreb Feb 25, 2013 in Health New York - As the March 12 start date of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ban on soda served in containers larger than 16 ounces approaches, details are emerging about what exactly is being prohibited. The ban takes effect on March 12. In preparation for the implementation, the city's health department is sending information to restaurants and other businesses in the food service industry to inform them of what will and will not be allowed. The Robert Bookman, a lawyer with the New York City Hospitality Alliance that is lobbying against the ban, Currently, restaurants such as Chuck E Cheese and other establishments such as bowling alleys that host children's birthday and other parties serve soft drinks in large pitchers. These pitchers usually hold 60 ounces so they are subject to the ban if they contain soda. Again, this will result in more plastic and other waste. Critics point out these pitchers are always used to serve more than one person and have nothing to do with obesity. Some licensed premises in the city sell liquor by the bottle, accompanied by a carafe of mix. These carafe's usually hold 32 ounces so while they will be able to contain water or juice, holding soda to mix with the alcohol will be a no-no beginning March 12. Lamia Sunti, owner of a New York City club Drinkers can take pleasure in the fact that alcoholic beverages (as well as diet sodas) will not be subject to the new 16 ounce law. Persons and businesses that violate these bans will face fines of $200. As reported by Digital Journal , last September New York's Board of Health approved the proposal of the mayor to ban soft drinks from being served in containers larger than 16 ounces. The purpose of the ban is an attempt to combat obesity.The ban takes effect on March 12. In preparation for the implementation, the city's health department is sending information to restaurants and other businesses in the food service industry to inform them of what will and will not be allowed.The New York Post reports the limit of 16 ounce soft drink containers will mean 2-litre bottles of soft drinks cannot be delivered to customers along with their pizza order. To get the same amount of soda that is contained in a 2-litre bottle, people will have to order six 12 ounce cans or plastic bottles. While the current cost of a 2-litre bottle in most pizza places is $3.00, the six cans or bottles will cost $7.50. In addition to customers paying more than twice the price, the six cans or bottles will result in more waste.Robert Bookman, a lawyer with the New York City Hospitality Alliance that is lobbying against the ban, said , "It's ludicrous. It's a sealed bottle of soda you an buy in the supermarket. Why can't they deliver what you can get in the supermarket?"Currently, restaurants such as Chuck E Cheese and other establishments such as bowling alleys that host children's birthday and other parties serve soft drinks in large pitchers. These pitchers usually hold 60 ounces so they are subject to the ban if they contain soda. Again, this will result in more plastic and other waste. Critics point out these pitchers are always used to serve more than one person and have nothing to do with obesity.Some licensed premises in the city sell liquor by the bottle, accompanied by a carafe of mix. These carafe's usually hold 32 ounces so while they will be able to contain water or juice, holding soda to mix with the alcohol will be a no-no beginning March 12.Lamia Sunti, owner of a New York City club said, "It's not like one person is going to be drinking the whole carafe. It's silly."Drinkers can take pleasure in the fact that alcoholic beverages (as well as diet sodas) will not be subject to the new 16 ounce law.Persons and businesses that violate these bans will face fines of $200. More about new york mayor michael bloomberg, new york city soda ban, Nanny state, Pizza delivery More news from new york mayor micha... new york city soda b... Nanny state Pizza delivery