A supersized sugary drink is a sugared beverage, such as a soda or a sweetened tea, in cups or containers larger than 16 ounce. 16 ounce is 470 ml. Most cups in NYC contain more than 16 ounce of soda. A cup of 64 ounce contains 217 grams of sugar, which is 54 teaspoons of sugar.

The average size of a cup of soda has grown a lot over the past couple of years. In the 1950’s the average size was 6 ounce. In the 1970’s 13 ounce and nowadays it’s 19 ounce.

The ban on large sugary drinks was proposed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in September 2012.
Eventhough the majority of New Yorkers was against the ban, the New York City Health Department approved the ban.
Because of this ban, it will be illegal to sell sugared beverages larger than 16 oz. at restaurants, mobile food carts, sports arenas, movie theaters and some newsstands.
The ban would only apply to sugared beverages and not to fruit juices, alcoholic beverages, diet sodas and dairy-based drinks like milkshakes.

The ban on supersized sugary drinks will improve NYC residents’ health and prevent obesity, which is necessary. Because care for obesity-related illnesses cost about $2.8 billion a year.

The reason why this ban prevents obesity is because people will drink less soda, because they can’t order big cups of soda anymore. If they want to drink a lot of soda, they will have to order more cups. Most people won’t do this.

Opponents of the ban say that people should be able to make their own decisions. It’s also unfair, because restaurants etc. will not be allowed to sell big sugary drinks, but other establishments are allowed to sell them.
The opponents have gone to court, so there might me a chance that this ban will be stopped.

The mayor of NYC, Michael Bloomberg , wants to ban all sugary drinks bigger than 16 ounce from NYC. The goal is to improve New Yorkers' eating habits and prevent obesity.