A ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces was set to go in effect in New York City on March 12.

It was struck down by a judge on March 11.

Should Grand Rapids consider a similar measure and ban large sugary drinks?

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal was controversial from the start.  Nytimes.com explains the idea behind the proposal and the fight against it:

The mayor’s plan, which he pitched as a novel effort to combat obesity, aroused worldwide curiosity and debate — and the ire of the American soft-drink industry, which undertook a multimillion-dollar campaign to block it, flying banners from airplanes over Coney Island, plastering subway stations with advertisements and filing the lawsuit that led to the ruling.

The ban was created by Bloomberg and the NYC Board of Health, but struck down before going into effect. Usatoday.com explains:

On Monday afternoon, New York Supreme Court Judge Milton Tingling ruled that the city health board didn't have the authority to limit or ban a legal item under the guise of "controlling a chronic disease."

"The Board of Health may supervise and regulate the food supply of the city when it affects public health," and can do so when the city "is facing imminent danger due to disease," but that was not proven in this case, Tingling said in his written decision.

Bloomberg says the decision will be appealed.

We can all agree that we need to find ways to effectively fight obesity.  But is limiting portions the right way?

Are king size candy bars, 20 ounce steaks, and NYC's own hot dog eating contest next?

Where does it stop?

Usatoday.com has more:

"We're not banning anything," (Bloomberg) said on CBS' Face the Nation. "It's called portion control."

"All we're doing in New York is reminding you that it's not in your interest to have too many empty calories," he said. "If you want to have 32 ounces, just buy two 16-ounce cups."

Thanks for the reminder.  I'll have three.

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