Big soda ban proposed by mayor of Cambridge, Mass.

CBS

(CBS/AP) Big soda bans may be spreading around the country.

The mayor of Cambridge, Mass. has proposed limiting the size of soda and sugar-sweetened beverages sold in city restaurants, saying she was inspired by a similar measure in New York City.

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PICTURES: New York City's proposed ban on big sodas

Mayor Henrietta Davis on Monday asked the city's health officials to research her proposal and make a recommendation on limiting beverage sizes. The city is adjacent to Boston and is home to Harvard and MIT.

Davis cited an increased risk of obesity and diabetes as reasoning behind the resolution.

"It seems like the way we have to go is look at the environment, look at the temptations that are out there for people," Mayor Davis told CBS WBZ NewsRadio 1030 in Boston. "See if that can be easier on all of us by not having bottomless pits of soda."

According to CBS Boston, specifics of the mayor's proposal have not been fleshed out yet, but she thinks it will be similar to the large soda ban currently being debated in New York City.

In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal would prohibit licensed food service establishments in the city from using containers bigger than 16 ounces to serve high-calorie drinks like colas.

Consumers could buy another round, but restaurants couldn't serve sugary drinks in the 20-ounce cups now popular at fast food eateries.

Davis also said regulation might not be necessary to prevent the sale of large-sized sugary beverages in Cambridge. She said city officials could pitch a voluntary compliance agreement to vendors or create an incentive program to encourage cooperation.

Davis, who also is a chair of a Cambridge community coalition that focuses on children's health, said she's been hearing mixed reactions to her resolution.

Don Puzy, the manager of a 7-Eleven in the city, on Tuesday called the mayor's proposal "absolutely crazy."

He said he sells a lot of the store's signature Big Gulps, but said it's mostly grownups who buy them.

"We appreciate her trying to do something about the kids, their weight, but that is not the way to go about it," Puzy said of the mayor's proposal. "There are a lot of programs for it ... starting from the schools ... Don't put it on the stores."

8 Photos

New York City's ban on big sodas

[CogitoErgoSum1776]

So how's that self control and personal responsibility think working out, or am I the only one who has been to Wal Mart lately? I don't necessarily think bans are the best answer, but anyone got a better idea? 1 in 3 US adults are pre-diabetic and the number is increasing, along with taxpayer funded public health assistance costs and insurance premiums.

[DBeckerDSU]

Bloomberg, you know that there will be people sneaking over to Jersey just to get a soda, especially those whom are Diabetic when they get a low Blood Sugar level.

[SUZAMBA]

Government officials, stay out of my business. I will drink a gallon of soda if I choose too, I will eat as I choose. Believe it or not, I can make a decision without your input! So bug off you bunch of idiots! By the way, how would you like it, if we told you what you can and can't do. You don't listen to the "PEOPLE" as it is now!!!!

[Stevenapoli7]

Dear government. Stay the hell out of our lives. Thank you.

[faol_taem]

The Mayor of Cambridge and the Mayor New York should get a room together, a padded on preferably, and stay there for an extended period of time.

[lloydbest1]

Amazing how closely connected good intentions are to that long, steep downhill road to.....

When a "nanny-state" enthusiast like me says, "This is too much" I think it's time officials pick up their ears and listen. And the message they should listen to is this:

There comes a point where public officials will simply have to trust the people they oversee to use their best judgement. The state can only do so much hand holding and it doesn't take much "protection from our own foolishness" legislation for there to be too much. We the people will have to take responsibility for the choices we make and accept the consequences of our actions.

Bloomberg's edict(s) have passed that point and while Ms. Davis has done nothing more than make some noises, even entertaining such a proposal is madness.

[nickcbs1]

Unfortunately the consequence of getting fat and unhealthy is ultimately losing all of your assets to pay for medical bills and then getting government assistance in the form of medicaid. I think we should allow obese Americans to drink whatever they want AFTER they opt out of all medical assistance programs (medicaid and food stamps). Its your god given right as an American to eat and drink whatever you want. But if you want to continue your disgusting habit then don't make everyone else foot the bill ($190 Billion a year of additional medical spending due to obesity). While we're at it, thanks for jacking up my health insurance premiums in order to cover your fat self since my insurance carrier can't discriminate premiums based on build. Let fat people be fat, then let them die (hopefully fast).

[ihfwt]

Is it not what the soft drink manufacturers are putting in the soft drinks. I.E high fructose corn syrup as a sweetner. How about going after the manufacturers to put in good old fashioned sugar instead of trying to limit the size of soft drinks that can be served.

[MegaProcrastination]

You know, once in a while the hubby and I venture into a fast food place. When we do he orders a medium or large cup for a soft drink. He fills it with a diet cola and we SHARE it! We both know pop is bad for us and artificial sweeteners are absolutely horrid but it's a TREAT! We didn't come to this way of thinking because the government decided to ban stuff that isn't good for people or even because our parents gave us a good example (they really didn't--my dad drank pop a lot in his later years, my m-i-l always drank sugar-sweetened beverages), it's because we wanted to try to improve our lives so took responsibility and did it all by ourselves!

More often than not when I eat out I choose something from the menu that's high in veggies and low in refined flours, etc. and drink either water, iced tea, or a cup of coffee (no sugar with a little cream). Once in a while I decide to have something that isn't good for me on purpose just because I like it. The government has no right to limit my choices.

[Ourdoc1]

We need to have a ban on stupid politicians. Any ban, brought into court the first time would get tossed out on its no merit stance without a fight. If I can sell you 2 8 ounce sodas you cannot legally ban 16 ounce sodas, the court would NEVER uphold it, they cannot, its stupid science that makes NO sense. However a ban on stupid politicians would be legal.

Now what would be really funny would be Chris Christie trying the same kind of ban.

[venusvegasvada]

"bottomless pits of soda."

????

Just where along the line do people in public office get the idea that they can pick and chose which freedoms they can take away from people at their leisure?

THAT'S what is scary about all this. The total nonchalance these politicians exhibit at taking away peoples freedom.