New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ban on large sugary drinks is scheduled to take effect Tuesday, spurring outrage and vows of defiance among the city's soda-loving diehards.
In an effort to address obesity, which has risen from 18 to 24 percent over the last 10 years among adult New Yorkers,
Bloomberg has instituted a ban on the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces.
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A Quinnipiac University poll released last week found that
51 percent of New Yorkers oppose the restriction, which has drawn criticism ranging from "New York is turning into a nanny state" to "Bloomberg is a Nazi."
The ban isn’t just limited to soda. The sale of any sugary beverage, including coffee, will be prohibited. To comply, Dunkin Donuts will require its customers to add their own sugar to large coffees.
7-Eleven convenience stores, like supermarkets, are regulated by the state and will still be able to sell its Big Gulp large drinks. Similarly, the ban will not extend to alcohol or diet drinks.
"Obesity is a nationwide problem, and all over the United States, public health officials are wringing their hands saying, 'Oh, this is terrible,'" Bloomberg said in an interview last May. "New York City is not about wringing your hands; it's about doing something."
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Some city restaurant owners said they plan to continue selling large sodas, despite the possible fines. Other businesses have stopped ordering large cups, while others plan on implementing two-for-one deals to get around the ban.
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