Supersized Soda Ban Gaining Opponents

Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to thwart obesity through may have a few more hurtles to pass.

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told the New York Post this week that he’s considering legislation at the state level to halt the mayor’s plan to limit soda cup size to 16 ounces.

“We may be getting too close to Big Brother,” Silver told the Post.

The ban would only apply to drinks with 25 calories or more per eight ounces, so diet sodas, fruit juices and dairy-based drinks would be exempt.

"This 'law' is embarrassingly easy to get around," said Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, adding, "All you have to do is go to a different store and buy another small drink, which would add up to more than 16 ounces.  If anyone wants to continue drinking large sodas, this pointless law won't stop them."

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who typically supports the mayor, also spoke out against the proposed ban, saying that it would be more helpful to educate people about healthier choices, says the article.

Still, the Wall Street Journal (paywall) points out that the ban wouldn’t take effect until March 2013, leaving less than a year before Bloomberg’s successor assumes office.

"The city should be educating students in our schools about good health and not limiting what our citizens can purchase," Bill Thompson, a former city comptroller, told the Journal. "Ten years into this administration and this is the best they can come up with?"