The proposals would see large-size sugary drinks taken off shelves and menus
The Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, is calling for a municipal ban on sales of super-sized sugary drinks in an attempt to tackle obesity.
He wants to stop the city's restaurants, delis, sports stadiums and cinemas from selling large sizes of sweetened soft drinks.
Research suggests that 58% of adults in New York are obese or overweight.
The New York City Beverage Association said the measures, which could come into effect next year, were "zealous".
"The city is not going to address the obesity issue by attacking soda [sweetened soft drinks] because soda is not driving the obesity rates," spokesman Stefan Friedman said in a statement.
But officials at Mayor Bloomberg's office at City Hall disagree. Citing a 2006 study, they argue that sugary drinks are the biggest factor in rising calorie consumption and obesity levels.
Public health crusaderOn its website, the New York City Department of Health describes how drinking one 20 ounce (560ml) sweetened soft drink a day translates into eating 50 pounds (22.6kg) of sugar a year.
Under the proposals, any bottles of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces would be taken off the shelves in cafes while extra-large options will disappear from restaurant menus.
The ban applies only to drinks that contain more than 25 calories per 8 ounces.
The proposed law on sweetened drinks is the latest in a long line of public health interventions by Mayor Bloomberg's office.
During his three terms in office, he has banned smoking in the city, outlawed trans-fats in restaurants and forced chain restaurants to put calorie-counts on menus.
The proposals on sugary soft drinks will go to New York's Board of Health in June for a final decision.
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