Mike Bloomberg, New York's mayor, in early May announced plans to ban the sale of large bottles of sugar-based drinks in restaurants, cinemas and food trucks.

The aim, according to a document, is to fight the growing epidemic of obesity. Statistics show that:

In New York City, 58 percent of adults and nearly 40 percent of school students are now obese or overweight.

    The plan's range for sugary drinks is 25 calories per 8 ounces of sugar.

Sugary drinks are to blame for more than half of the increase in obesity rates in the city over the past 30 years, and about a third of New Yorkers drink them every day, according to the city's health department. Converting the amount of sugar in the drink into regular sugar cubes, every 470ml bottle of the drink is equivalent to 27 sugar cubes, and the 1.5-litre drink contains a staggering 86 cubes.

     The plan will affect sales of large bottles of sugary drinks, but will not affect sales of zero-calorie or low-calorie drinks. According to the mayor's office, Americans have added 200 to 300 calories per person over the past 30 years.   

In a later statement, Coca-Cola strongly attacked the plan. "New Yorkers should not be limited by this. Instead, they have the right to make their own choices based on their needs.       

           

 It is clear that Coke's sales will suffer significantly if the plan is implemented. The statement went on to explain that to make it easier for New Yorkers to make a choice, Coca-Cola plans to put calorie counts prominently on the front of plastic bottles or cans, and restaurants will also print calorie information about the drinks that go with their meals on their menus.       

Take this opportunity to raise public awareness of low calorie drinks. Allow stevia to contribute to obesity control as a natural sweetener.