Score one for the little guy. (Even if the little guy is obese.) Mayor Bloomberg dismissed his critics today by suggesting they didn't care about unhealthy children. Wrong, Mr. Mayor. We can agree obesity is a killer. We can agree it is out of control. We can agree more needs to be done. Your policy is what people don't like. We don't need politicians to tell us how to live.

The ban on the sale of large sugary drinks fizzled out just hours before it was set to take effect. This afternoon, a judge ruled the Board of Health went beyond its authority in approving the size limit. Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling said the measure would result in an "unprecedented interference" with consumer choice.

Mayor Bloomberg trumpeted the idea as a groundbreaking way to fight obesity. This morning, Bloomberg said "everyone around the country, and around the world, should do it." The City vows to appeal, arguing the Board of Health has "the legal authority and responsibility" to limit the size of sugary drinks to 16 ounces or less at restaurants, delis, food carts, and concession stands.

Are you surprised a judge ruled to stop the City's ban on large-size sugary drinks? Do you agree that it interferes with consumer choice on an unprecedented level? Will the City be successful in its appeal? If you own a business that was preparing for the ban, how will this latest development affect you?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

I'm really fed up with Bloomberg policing NYC. We are responsible adults and if people wish to drink large sugary drinks, let them. Who is he to dictate who drinks what and how many ounces? I'm sure our city has more serious issues to deal with? How about the huge rats in the subways? I can't wait for his term to end.

Siobhan from Bay Ridge

I do not support the sugary drinks van. I know that our health is really important but there are other things more dangerous than that. Why do not van Cigarretes or Alcoholic drinks once for all, instead to decide which size should we buy or not. Some of us buy that size to share with the family and save money and by the way in restaurants they put a lot of ice on it and you end like you got a small one and need to buy another one. Amazing. Mostly of people buy bigger sizes in order to share with others since is cheaper than buy small sizes for every one.

Brenda, NY

Well, well, well!! It would seem the Diminutive Despot Mayor has to swallow a Big Gulp of Reality. It's about time someone stood up to the Tiny Tyrant and explained to him that he does not rule the world. If he is so worried about people's health, is he stopping his buddies from downing magnums of champagne or barrels of scotch. How about caviar, cigars, and prime rib? No, because they are rich and like Bloomberg can do whatever they want. I say kudos to the judge. Now, if we could only reverse the damage he has done to schools and send him packing, things might begin to look up around here.

Sick of Bloomberg in Queens

I am surprised that anyone was willing to stand up to Bloomberg. BRAVO to the judge. I absolutely agree that it is an interference with consumer choice and our rights under the fact that we live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A FREE COUNTRY! How dare Bloomberg believe he can control another human being! It's each person's right to be as thin or heavy as he/she wishes and to be as healthy/unhealthy as he/she also wishes. We choose our direction in life, we also choose how to live it.

I hope the City is unsuccessful with its appeal. It's about time Bloomberg doesn't get his way!! He's become a dictator in the "free world". It's a disgrace that people rally behind him.

Jessica
Arden Heights
Staten Island

I'm not surprised at all by the judge's ruling -- every statement that the mayor and his lackeys have made about this rule seem to be comprised of a mix of good intentions and wishful thinking, coupled with astonishing hubris, all of which the judge made short work of. The appeals court should do the same in short order.

Bruce
Upper West Side
Manhattan

I'm surprised that everyone is NOT in this Mayor's pocket. Finally someone has put their foot down, and up the Mayor's backside for a change!

Peace, Nick
Hell's K.

Great that the state of ny has the guts to challenge king Bloomberg. He has gone too far running this city like some dictatorship. First it was the incumbent changing term limits for himself, followed by a number of laws telling new Yorkers how they should live their lives. His legacy will live on when Chris Quinn becomes the next mayor. Bloomberg will have her in his pocket. his pockets are deep too.

Steve
Brooklyn

John,

The judge made the right decision. However, I wish he had ruled that the law was a violation of our individual rights and freedom. The government has no Constitutional authority to dictate what we ingest, imbibe, inhale, shoot up or in what amounts.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

The Judge was right to block the law.

D.

I am glad that it happened. Mayor Bloomberg should step aside in limiting portions. People should be responsible enough to watch their own caloric intake. If they have a sickness then they should see a medical professional. Mayor Bloomberg was getting to cocky and hopefully this will take the wind out of his sails.

Roscoe,
Park Hill, Staten Island

Consumers of sugary drinks,should be treated like consumers of pharmaceutical drugs. They should be given all of the information they need to make an informed consent and then the choice is theirs. Drug companies advertise products that have one possible beneficial effect and fifteen (15) negative side effects that can result in death or serious physical side effects. Consumers should be the only ones that determine what will go into their bodies, not some sanctimonious politician acting as parent. The "Regulators" are full of themselves. Enough already!

Jazz (Harlem)

Hi John,

Why don’t we just ban this Bloomberg= Enough with his nonsense = How much longer are we suppose to take this from him? He can't tell us what to do. Only two people in this whole world that could tell me what to do and that would be my dear Mother and Father and and they are no longer with me. This guy is more than overstepping his authority. In fact is this what he bought and paid for third term for? Is it just to continue gnawing at us?

Thank you John,
maxxiee
mp

HIS HONOR LIKES TO CITE STATISTICS TO PROVE HIS POINT. ALLOW ME TO PROVIDE D.O.H. WIC CHILDREN STATISTICS. THERE ARE 41,549 CHILDREN IN THE AGE CATEGORY 0-4 IN THE 5 BOROS THAT ARE UNDERWEIGHT. HIS HONOR CITES THE OBESITY ISSUE TO CURB CALORIC INTAKE. CONVERSELY, WHAT IS HIS VIEW ON HUNGRY KIDS BETWEEN THE AGE OF 0-4 THAT ARE UNDERWEIGHT AND IN MOST TIMES HUNGRY AND HOMELESS?

JOE, BAY TERRACE

I feel sorry for the owners who tossed their boxes of the large sized drink containers. I think that the commercial that shows the 20 packets of sugar on the counter and equating that to the sugar in a large drink makes me think before making that choice. I wish that I had had that information 20 years ago before I consumed the big Cokes. I have been off them for 12 years, but, the damage had already been done. Information really helps the public make the right decisions for themselves!

kathy from Throggs Neck da bronx

I agree with the judge. Just because a person buys a large sugary drink, it doesn`t meant that they will drink it all at once.

Rosalie from Canarsie

As a Brooklynite tired of Bloomberg's bullying, I'm glad the State Courts overturned his ban on large sugary drinks. I agree with the mayor on this one in principal, but his actions in trying to attain change wreak of the arrogance we've grown to know and detest here in New York coming from City Hall. He bullied City Councilmen to steal a third term in what he knew was a weak, uncompetitive race. He bullied parents and educators to try and close schools throughout NYC last year, a move that was also overturned by a mediator, and now he tried to bully already struggling small business owners who he thought could never organize well enough to fight back against his money's muscle. He was wrong, and I hope Unions across the city take notice at just what organization can accomplish, even in the face of certain defeat. Had Bloomberg been a true reformer, and not a bully, he would have applied his soda ban on all establishments, not just the ones he thought wouldn't, or couldn't fight back. Now these businesses get to keep their lunch money, with a large soda to go along with it!

Robert
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Many people were big fans of Bloomberg until the third term. Then the arrogance took over -- abolishing term limits, the bike lanes, Midtown East upzoning, and now even the Diet Coke we drink. It's all being shoved down our throats because he's building his legacy. In eight months, Bloomberg will be gone, off to his homes in London, Bermuda, and wherever, and the rest of us will be holding the bag. Three cheers for Judge Tingling!

Jay
Murray Hill

God bless our Judges. I refer to those great men who who took an oath to protect and uphold the Constitution and live up to that pledge. Way to go Judge Tingling. Few of you understood what precedent this law, if allowed to stand, would have set. But Judge Tingling reviewed it with a "jealous eye." Good for you Judge Tingling. Good for you.

Eileen

Hasn't the Mayor heard of Prohibition? What a wonderful success THAT was. How dare the Mayor enforce his puritanical viewpoints on the rest of us adults — especially those of us who stopped voting for him two elections ago. First he decides it is healthier to give smokers pneumonia by forcing them to smoke outside and then tried to take even the out of doors away. Now he is trying to ban large quantity sugared soft-drinks. I don't smoke, and I don't even drink sugared soft-drinks, but I am appalled by this puritan ethic.

I might be more supportive of his decision to ban sugared soft-drinks if such drinks were treated like alcohol and could not be sold to minors; they should be taken out of the schools. At best these draconian measures are misguided. Is his next lame duck move to ban food commercials on television? Lord knows (but apparently not Michael Bloomberg) that's when my willpower gets sucked away.

Beyond that, this one man has no right to dictate the health of other adults no matter what his title is. There is nothing reasonable about enforcing such ridiculous measures.

R. Clay

The taxpayers oppose this soda ban nonsense and should not have to fund the city law departments appeal of this well thought out and cogent ruling.

Dennis From Brighton Beach

This is America! There's no king here, especially named Bloomberg!

Steven Of Jamaica

About time some one took him down a peg!!!

Mark

If our Nanny Mayor really cared about the health of New Yorkers, they why does he remains absolutely silent as one city hospital after another shuts down and residents have no access to healthcare or emergency services? But sodas? REALLY????

Gretchen
UWS

The Mayor should stop trying to be NYC's Dr. And consentrate on more important things. Like keeping fare and tolls and taxes down. He needs to get REAL.

ROBERT
STATEN ISLAND

I think it was a good decision! Enough with him and his want to be powers if I couldn't get a supersize drink I could have gotten 2 drinks .... Glad with this judges decision ..

Y.A.

I'm disappointed in today's decision. Mr. Greller's suggestion that people would not go to the movies or go out to restaurants because soda cups would be capped at 16 ounces is preposterous. The policy limited cup size and did not prevent free refills. I hope the decision is overturned on appeal.

Giles (pronounced "Jiles")
Greenwich Village

I think making the beverage size down to 16oz will make the consumer buy 2 drinks, resulting in 2X's the tax. Now I think that this will not help people lose weight, because haveing a few oz's less will not help you lose weight.

Raymond

I am so happy that the mayor has done this, "as in stopping these large drinks", because we have to many heavy people in America!

Anonymous

Mayor Bloomberg is a IDIOT! instead of worrying about sugary drinks; the Mayor should be worrying about the high prices the average New Yorker has to deal with. I didn't hear the Major come strong at the MTA with yet again another fare hike, or how high rents are in EVERY borough or what about the wages for jobs in the city of New York! Get a damn grip Mr. Mayor you are not the average New Yorker that has to sweat to make ends meet; maybe if I had everything to live in New York like the Mayor I would have nothing else to do but worry about sugary drinks? really?

Mike

I'm happy that band on sugar drinks was thrown out of court. Bloomberg should be worrying about real major issues like affordable housing rather than being intrusive worrying about what people are drinking. worry about how is gentrification is running many families out of New York City and into shelters.

Pretty

Glad Bloomberg and his city counsel didn't get his way. Wasn't it Bloomberg 11 years ago trying to put Snapple machines in city schools and city offices when he became mayor?

Richie T.

The government needs to stop infringing on our rights. We aren't a communist country but supposedly a democratic one. First smoking then 16oz drinks, earplugs and now I'm hearing plastic bags. I'm sure there's more just can't think of them off hand. If a person is concerned with their health it should be up to themselves to regulate it and the parents of the children not the government. The mayor should keep his beliefs and wants in his own home. Instead of focusing in our civil rights look at new Dorp Staten Island where there are still homeless and houses down and land that still sunken into the ground.

Anthony

We need to stop the heavy eating to, it's bad for our health!

Shelley

Wouldn't it serve NYer's better if this time and money was spent on implementing a mandatory nutrition class in all NY schools. Educate the young, as they are the future and the problem needs to stop with those that can still be influenced. Older consumers are set in their ways and not as open to changing their ways.

Also, keep in mind the families still suffering from the effects of hurricane Sandy. Please spend your time, Mr. Mayor on the things that are truly important. This is soda thing is non-sense in comparison!!

Regards,
Nicole

Dear John,

Mayor Bloomberg has good intentions but is going about this the wrong way. My personal suggestion to Mayor Bloomberg would be:

Increase the sales tax on sugary drinks and use the sugary drinks tax revenue to reduce the sales taxes on bottle water. If people want to improve their health, they would appreciate the cheaper cost for bottle water.

Kevin
Clifton, Staten Island

I strongly agree with the ruling today. I am a firm believer in PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. It makes no sense to not be "allowed" to get sugar in my Dunkin' Donuts coffee but be allowed to order 10 dozen donuts with it. I think Mayor Bloomberg should not waste TAX PAYER DOLLARS on an appeal of this ruling. Attention Elected Officials: Keep your nose out of out of our private lives!

Donna

i can only hope that the drink ban will be completely defeated. ...not only is the proposed drinks ban very intrusive on a consumers right to choose, but it also interferes with little money saving steps those of us on a budget take to stretch our dollars....buying a large beverage to consume a little at a time throughout the week kept in the fridge at work, buying a large soda at the movies to share with a friend since it's SOOOOO much cheaper that way than buying two cups etc etc. not everyone who purchases a large sized beverage necessarily consumes that beverage irresponsibly. and even if they do, while it is unfortunate, it is their right. p.s. on the other hand i thought having calories now displayed is great, and has helped me make healthier choices. emphasis on the word CHOICE.

Elizabeth, all five boroughs and jersey city!

Just as every fast food place has a calorie amount next to each item so should sized drinks with the amount of sugar in them thus allowing US to make the choice for we still have choices or do we? I don't see a ban on alcohol !!!

Anthony

Question: Are you pleased or disappointed with Judge's desition?

Yes I am pleased. People should be responsible of the amount or size they want to consume. Definetely this interfere with people's choices and needs, I agree with the Judge's choice. Anyway the major tried to do good for us, but there are worse things that could kill everyone like drugs, alcohol and cigarrettes, and it needs urgent action.

LIZ, NY

I do not drink any beverages with added sugar. I think it is very unhealthy and no one should drink them. However, it is not my business and not the government's business to prevent people from doing this. Personal responsibility and personal freedom is what this country is about.

Van in Belmont

Good Evening Jon,

Although I don't drink soda, I'm glad that the ban was declared unlawful because it was nonsensical and seemed to be more of an attempt to collect more tax revenue for the city than to advocate for public health. What really upsets me though is that so many people got up in arms about this issue. Last week many viewers called in to the show and vowed to take to the streets in protest or to become more politically active in order to challenge the ban. Why aren't these people organizing protests against toll or transit hikes? Will they write to their Congressman or woman to share how high gas prices have affected them? Why haven't lawsuits been filed to protect consumers from these things? While I am in favor of consumers having their choice in what to consume, people should put this much energy into fighting for more important issues.

Janelle
Washington Heights

MAYOR BOOMBER, YOU ARE A BULLY, I'M OPENING A BOTTLE OF MERLOT RIGHT NOW, MAY I HAVE A LARGE GLASS OR TWO SMALL ONES? LOTS OF SUGAR IN WINE

CARMEN

The mayor, instead of spending money and time checking what people is drinking, he should be adding that money and time on Education and Security. Cause time cost and he is wasting the money on ridiculous things. I agree with the Judge. Thank you

Carlos

Since when is the mayor concerned about unhealthy drinks when just a year or so ago the mayor tried to put snapple drinks into school vending machines which are full of sugar!

Denise
In Harlem

Imagine if Bloomberg spent this much time on Education, This city would be in a much better place!!

Peter, Astoria

I wonder two things about Bloomberg's soda ban. First, since it did nothing to stop 7-11 from selling Big Gulps, which are the epitome of large sugary drinks, it makes me wonder if this whole effort was designed to funnel more soda drinkers into 7-11 stores in the first place. Second, since so many of these large drinks are packed with ice, I wonder what the real amount of sugary beverage is in these drinks as well. Obviously, people need to drink less soda in general, but this ban was not the right way to go about it.

Chris,
Lower East Side

YES!! Now I can have my 20oz Cafe Mocha with Whip Cream without looking over my shoulders for Gestapo Bloomberg or his troops. I just wonder -- people say that Soda is garbage but what is wrong with a Grande ice coffee with milk and a little sugar? The Judge is right -- it is unconstitutional to take away peoples' freedom to choose. Someone needs to stop Mayor Bloomberg in his tracks and drop him down a notch -- I just hope that the Appellate court affirms the decision. And Mayor Bloomberg thinks that the country should adopt his policies -- good luck with that. There are a lot of reasons why people are obese --lack of exercise for one. Give out free gym memberships like free nicotine patches!!

Lisa
Upper east side

I am a restaurant owner.

I don't have a problem with some form of a sugary drinks regulation. I have a problem with the unlevel playing field this mayor of ours was about to create.

Why would a nyc mayor continue to give a competitive advantage to state regulated "grocery" stores over his city's stores? Isn't it enough already that the whole foods & 7-elevens in NYC get away with serving more retail foods than your average city regulated shop, yet they do not fall under your city's stringent jurisdiction? Please work on correcting this situation the next time your bored Mr. Mayor.

Peter, queens

The mayor should be into getting all NY highways repaired instead of going after if the poor people drink sweet drinks. That is not #1 promblems

Chula

How many times do I have to hear comments about how people like me should suffer and die because we don't deserve to get medical care? Since when is it only fat people who drink soda? I don't drink soda. I don't even drink diet soda. And I'm tired of arguing with wait staff in restaurants who don't even know what tap water is. So I sit drinking my water surrounded by people drinking sugary drinks, which I know are no good for them, but who are all thinner than I am. There are diseases that can cause both weight loss (cancer, anorexia, hyperthyroidism) and weigh gain (hypothyroidism hyperinsulinemia)but it seems to be only the fat people that don't deserve medical treatment. Drug addicts and smokers deserve better than we do.

If Bloomberg finally gets his way with soda--though how he's going to enforce his soda rules in every single restaurant in New York without spending incredible amounts of money I don't know--what's next? Large cheeseburgers? Donuts? French Fries? What becomes illegal next? Maybe we'll put cameras in people's houses to check what they eat at home.

Robin

Don't worry Dept. Of Health. You can keep Bloomberg's payoff.

Norm. Upper East side

Hi John,

If only there were a government agency, an administration maybe, designed to regulate food, and probably dairy too. If only there were something like that. Then they could do their job and messes like this could be avoided altogether.

Jordan
Flushing

I don't have a problem with the Mayor's decision to put a ban on big drinks, the problem I have is that he did not first look into how landlords are crucify tennants with EXHORBITANT rent for buildings that are grossly ill maintained.

Claxton

THE EVIL EMPIRE IS FINALLY STARTING TO SHOW CRACKS

PEDRO
BRONX

Why did Bloomberg try to ban them rather than just heavily tax them, like they do cigarettes?

Craig

Hi John,

I think it was noble of the mayor to try to curb the oversized consumption. No one "needs" a 64 oz. sugary soda that is the size of a fish bowl. It's disgusting. The health consequences that arise as a result of obesity, heart disease and diabetes get passed on to all of us as the cost of health care increases and the coast of health insurance skyrockets. I think taxing the supersize drinks is a better idea, though. And put that tax revenue toward the cost of healthcare..to offset the costs the rest of us will have to carry.

Ron
Astoria

Why not go to the root cause...ask the big soda company's to reduce the amount of sugar in soda.

Carole

large sugary drinks should definitely be banned! people are complaining about the mayor encroaching on their freedom; however that freedom is costing us our tax money. Also the ban is not on consumers, it's on sellers. No one is saying you can't drink a whole gallon of sugary drink; if it means so much to the winners, go ahead and buy a douzen of sugary drinks. However the ban should be all across, not just restaurants.

Oumar -
Staten Island

If the mayor was so concerned then why allow all the fatty foods. Why not stop cigarettes instead of raising taxes on them.

Jennifer, Queens

Mayor Bloomberg is a business man. He knows the law of supply and demand. With proper education, consumers would gradually buy smaller size drinks. restaurants would subsequently stop selling larger portions.

Dave
Sunset park

I'm glad the judge blocked him. Our country is created on freedom, free to choose and make our own decisions. Bloomberg does not have the right to tell me what I can and can't drink. If I want a large coffee with caramel swirl then I have earned the right to order it. Its my body and I am the only one who gets to choose way I put in it. Worry about the financial trouble of our city and leave my choices to me.

Melanie :)

So glad someone (the judge) has finally stood up to Bloomberg and his Big Brother governance and than NYers have finally shown some backbone in the almost united opposition to this unconstitutional ban. No one disputes the science; it's the infringement on personal behavior that only effects the individual.

Anonymous

Mayor Bloomberg is a business man. He knows the law of supply and demand. With proper education, consumers would gradually buy smaller size drinks. restaurants would subsequently stop selling larger portions.

Dave
Sunset park

John & The Call -

I believe that the Mayor should reevaluate this issue by reviewing the work of former New York State Health Commissioner - the late Dr. Richard Daines. He advocated that a tax be imposed on sugary drinks.

I believe we as a society are paying a price for the health impact of the empty calories from these drinks and we should price these products similar to the way we impose a tax on tobacco products.

John, Oak

Hizzoner should have considered implementing an educational program in NYC Public schools to inform children of the dangers of sugary drinks, sugar in general, and even more generally the dangers of processed food. Change is best made through education, not by insulting NYers by dictating to them the size of their cups.

-Jen, Sunnyside.

If Bloomberg cares so much about childhood obesity he should make the schools serve healthier food and drinks and reinstate phys ed, which has just about vanished. And now he's going to waste taxpayer money to appeal the ruling? Give that money to a homeless shelter instead.

Meryl
Manhattan

People don't have the right to make stupid choices in the world in which we now live. I am tired of seeing my health care costs rise to take care of people who have made bad choices. I am tired of sharing the sidewalk with people riding electric tricycles who are in them because they are fat. I am tired of standing while a person takes up two subway seats because they are obese. I am tired of sitting in a theatre seat and having the person next to me's flesh ooze over the arm of the seat into my space. I am also tired of having to walk behind smokers and dodge them going into the entrance of buildings. I don't want to have anyone I know hit by a drunk driver. It is a complex world and people need to be made aware forcefully of how their choices affect others. The soda ban is not the perfect solution, but it is the beginning of a discussion about public health.

John in Manthattan

We are all adults. There are worse things out there that they mayor should be worried about banning.

Shaneta

Bloomberg is right about this one. As kids in the early 60's we drank one little bottle of coke a week. Then the sodas started to get bigger and bigger. We have been manipulated by the soft drink companies to drink more and more sugary drinks. Do you see all the grossly overweight people riding around the supermarket in those motorized carts.
So many people are saying they should be allowed to make their own choice when it comes to these drinks- wake up folks, you have been manipulated all along to want more of these sugary drinks by the soda companies, to increase profits for their stockholders.

Terry

The real problem with having a ban is the impact on families. If a family goes to a pizza restaurant once a week to enjoy a pie, why can't they get a large drink with some cups & ice to share a amongst them? If they have to buy several drinks it will cost more, and they will probably stop having their "pizza night". This will impact businesses in the long run.

Cathy, E.Harlem

This is tyranny!!! This is foolish... Why not focus in what's ALREADY illegal.... Minors using tobacco products. They should be writing tickets for teen age smokers and levying fines! I don't agree with this ban. If they want to impose these rules inside the schools fine. If they want to require more health education to improve the citys health then do so through education. But he needs to stop being a bully. If Quinn knows what good for her he will stay out of his footsteps!

Anonymous

THE DECISION TODAY IS JUSTIFIED. THE MAYOR NEEDS INTERVENTION RIGHT NOW! I AM SORRY THAT THE JUDGE DID NOT DEMAND SOME SORT OF INTERVENTION, UNTIL THE MAYOR IS CAPABLE OF BEING ON HIS OWN. DRASTIC MEASURES FOR DRASTIC BEHAVIORS, AND THE MAYOR IS SHOWING THAT HE IS STILL SUFFERING FROM HURRICANE SANDY SYNDROME.

CARMELITA.............HARLEM

Bottom line this is a country with liberties. Every one has the right to choose what they want to drink. I see the governor intention to help but its fruitless when he cannot control obesity with such a law. People will find another way to drink And eat as they please. Go to cotsco; bjs etc and u see people buy CASES of sugary drinks will the governor then set standards of how many cases a family buy? You have drs that cannot order patients to follow a diet how can he do this without violating the liberty to drink whatever amount they desire. the governor needs to focus on jobs and shelters and program to assist those in need than try to bully his personal opinion on others. My family had 2 liters of coke with supper and you know what? It was good and our RIGHT to drink it all "burp"

Gina

Hello my name is Pierre,

I came from Canada over 15 years ago and now a US citizen. First thing I notice when I moved over here 15 years ago was the size of some people in the subway. I think that Bloomberg is the first politician that had the courage to do something about the problem. People are killing themselves by what they are eating/drinking and something had to be done. Unfortunately the less educated people who do not know that the sugar in the soft drinks is extracted for sucrose produce by corn or called “corn syrup” of which the human body has difficulty eliminating and stays in the body tissues augmenting body weight. Corn syrup is not permitted in soft drinks in Canada and Mexico for health reasons.

I dont support his approach for limiting the soda we drink , he should had done something else. It will hurt our economy in the long run because of the obesity rate we have in New York . He should make things a little more difficult for the people whom need any medical attention because of their weight. Well since some people act like having public assistance its free money. Everything should be difucult. Bypass surgery is not cheap. Also. I work in a school . The children don't have no type of physical activity . How does he expect for the children to live a active life if they cant even go outside while they are in school.

Bridget . East Bronx

I am going crazy listening to this! People keep talking about Bloomberg violating our personal freedom but they are not realizing that personal freedom is an illusion. The facts are that Americans are overweight, that large portions are a way of life, that fighting urges to gorge is like trying to stand up against a tidal wave. Advertising is shoved in our faces to eat more. Sugary foods are available everywhere 24/7. How is it that people were satisfied with smaller burgers, fries and cokes back in the 1950's? Studies show that if a person has to consciously go for a second soda, they probably won't. No one is preventing anyone from getting more. As a matter of fact, if I want a child size popcorn at the movies I can't get it unless I purchase a soda as well. Even the small popcorn is too much. Why doesn't it stop? Because there is big money in obesity. Too much money is made at diet centers, books about diets, gym memberships, equipment,bariatric surgery and big pharma. Let's not forget the surgery needed after bariatric to cut away excess skin. For those who argue that cigarettes and alcohol are worse...maybe so but change does not come overnight and we can't solve everything at once. Even Lincoln realized he couldn't think about what would happen to slaves after they were freed. First step was just to pass the 13 th amendment. It took years to get a warning label on cigarettes. Change in our health habits will come just as slowly. I don't believe Bloomberg is trying to take over the world or infringe our rights. He's trying to save us from ourselves...the selves created by the media.

Stephanie
Upper East Side

I am so pleased the judge put a stop to this. The attitude of the Mayor is so galling. There should be freedom of choice. If he wants to make a difference then we can't be paying more money for smaller sizes in this economy, at least for the common new yorker. He shows again that he is out of touch and I am relieved the dictatorship is ending.

He wants to limit sugar, yet diet coke that causes cancer is plentiful. I will take the sugar over cancer.

Thanks for speaking the truth John.

Helen in park slope

Though I understand what Bloomberg was trying to do with this “law”, and I get that he is looking out for the “health” of our youth and adults. But in the end, it really comes down to education from Parents and the schools to not provide these types of beverages or other types of “junk food” - it isn’t the mayor’s job or duty to make such regulations, this should come from a National Prospective vs. local.

Will

Itll take more than banning soda sizes to prevent obesity !! Im glad Bloomberg didnt succeed in his first effort. Hes the most questionable mayor this city has ever had.

Carlo from Staten Island

I'm confused how this "Soda Ban" has been both defended and opposed with reference to "freedom of choice." I do understand "consumer choice", in the sense of "sharing" large drinks while on-the-go saves money, but, that's a weak argument at best given the actual cost of sugary drinks are pennies on the dollar. With a 24% obesity rate, this is a big problem and I applaud the Mayors intentions, although I think we should all come clean and admit this is not a question of "choice" of any kind (most choices we have as consumers are created by marketers to sell more product).

This is a problem of leveling that playing field, and quite frankly poor strategy on the City's part. IF they want to solve the problem they should think more like marketers.

Raul from Astoria, NY

The Mayor should achieve change through education and through The City Council, not by fiat. The Mayor does not have the right to control the sizes of individual choices. People who thought the judge was wrong in striking down portion control need to remember that every time a government official does an end run around the US Constitution, and is not stopped by a judge, it becomes easier to do another end run, and another, and so on.

Bruce, Upper East Side

Mayor Bloomberg's ban greatly over stepped his bounds. Sodas are the most arbitrary thing to ban. How about giving all New Yorkers a free gym membership? That would do more good.

-Scott from Rego Park

I am not an advocate of soda. What I am an advocate of is Democracy and not of Napoleon aka Bloomberg acting as the Dictator. Bloomberg has always emulated a spoiled kid. If he can't get his way, he will stamp his feet, storm out, then manipulate the government and say that it is the name of the people as he did when he decided that the New Yorkers' vote regarding a "no 3rd term mayor" was unenforceable. Does all of this border on Communism? Maybe?

Madeleine The Magician
NYC, NY

If I wasn’t sick and had a voice, I would call in right now. I know I sent you an email earlier, but after listening to the callers calling in, I have to say that I am happy that this is being put on hold. If Bloomberg wants to do something good for obesity, he should ban all junkfood, sodas in schools and educate kids on healthy alternatives. I think it is wrong for the Mayor to try to over step his bounds by telling people how much they can and cannot consume. If he has such an issue with this, then he should go after all of the fast food restaurants in the city.

I believe that his efforts and money should go to repairing the streets and keeping the MTA costs down. How is it that we are in a deficit and are having to raise our transportation costs when Bloomberg is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising towards his ban on sugary drinks... Seriously priorities need to be re-evaluated. He needs to fix the issues of the city like – streets, schools, transportation..etc.

Thank you,
Will