NEW YORK (AP) — The soft-drink industry says the fight isn't over.
An industry-sponsored group says it will continue to fight to overturn the ban that was enacted by New York City's Board of Health today. It prohibits the sales of big sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, concession stands and other eateries.
The group -- called New Yorkers for Beverage Choices -- says it has gathered more than 250,000 signatures opposing the ban. It's considering a lawsuit, and looking at legislative options.
But Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an advocate for the soda plan, is hailing today's vote. A tweet on Bloomberg's official Twitter feed says the new policy is "the single biggest step any government has taken to curb obesity." It says the ban "will help save lives."
The regulation was proposed by Bloomberg in the spring and approved by a panel of health experts after several months of review. It puts a 16-ounce size limit on cups and bottles of non-diet soda, sweetened teas and other beverages packed with calories.
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217-a-04-(Kevin Dozier, New Yorker, in AP interview)-"two of them"-New Yorker Kevin Dozier, who was drinking a big soda, says he doesn't like the idea of a ban, but doesn't think it's a big deal. (13 Sep 2012)
<<CUT *217 (09/13/12)>> 00:04 "two of them"
215-v-32-(Warren Levinson, AP correspondent)--The nation's first sugary soda ban has advanced in New York City. AP correspondent Warren Levinson reports. (13 Sep 2012)
<<CUT *215 (09/13/12)>> 00:32
216-a-09-(Vinnie Sienna, pizzeria owner, in AP interview)-"they feel like"-Vinnie Siena, who sells 20-ounce drinks in his pizzeria, is not happy about size restrictions. (13 Sep 2012)
<<CUT *216 (09/13/12)>> 00:09 "they feel like"
APPHOTO NY112: FILE - In this July 9, 2012 file photo, protester Eric Moore sips on an extra-large beverage during a protest against Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal to prohibit licensed food establishments from using containers larger than 16 ounces to serve high-calorie drinks at City Hall in New York. The era of the supersized cola may come to an end in New York City on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, when health officials are expected to approve the 16-ounce limit. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File) (9 Jul 2012)
<<APPHOTO NY112 (07/09/12)>>
APPHOTO NYFF102: Soft drinks are on display during a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, in New York. Health officials are expected to approve an unprecedented 16-ounce limit on sodas and other sugary drinks sold at restaurants, delis and movie theaters. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (12 Sep 2012)
<<APPHOTO NYFF102 (09/12/12)>>
