Mayor Bloomberg is urging the state to adopt a ban on sugary drinks that is scheduled to take effect in the city on March 12. (Getty Images)
Mayor Michael Bloomberg believes a ban on large sugary drinks, to take effect in the city March 12, should be expanded to the whole state.
A spokesman for the mayor confirmed on Monday that the mayor thinks the ban will save lives and the state should adopt the same policy, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Under the ban, restaurants, food carts, movie theaters and other food service establishments are restricted from selling sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces. Grocery stores and convenience stores are exempt. Come June, violators of the ban will be fined.
The ban has been controversial and unpopular since it was first introduced. The mayor has defended the policy, saying that people are still free to buy more than one beverage if they want more than 16 ounces.
