New York City plans to ban the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks in an effort to combat obesity.

The proposed first-in-the-nation ban would impose a 16-ounce
limit on the size of sweetened drinks sold at restaurants, movie
theaters, sports venues and street carts. It would apply to bottled
drinks as well as fountain sodas.

The ban, which could take effect as soon as March, wouldn't
apply to diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based drinks or alcoholic
beverages.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Wednesday that he "thinks it's
what the public wants the mayor to do."

A spokesman for the New York City Beverage Association, Stefan
Friedman, criticized the proposal as "zealous." He said officials
should seek solutions that are actually going to curb obesity.

The proposal requires the approval of the city's Board of
Health.