Proposal Would Limit Soda Sizes In Cambridge

Weeks after New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a controversial proposal to ban sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces from his city's eateries, a similar proposal has been floated in Cambridge.

WBZ-AM reports:

Mayor Henrietta Davis brought the idea to the city council’s meeting Monday night, saying soda contributes to the obesity epidemic, as well as diabetes and heart disease in young people.

The city council agreed to study the proposal. Cambridge's "health committee will study every aspect of the possible ban and report back to the city council," according to WHDH-TV.

But at least one councilor already expressed reservations with moving on the plan, following widespread criticism of Bloomberg's New York City proposal. The Boston Globe reports:

“Before launching ourselves into the middle of another maelstrom, I would want to see how that sorted itself out in New York,” [City Councilor Leland] Cheung said.

Bloomberg's proposal, which would apply to certain beverages that contain more than 25 calories per 8 ounces, has drawn backlash because, for instance, it would not apply to milk-based beverages and would not limit the number of 16-ounce beverages consumers could purchase. The proposal is currently in a public comment period, according to CBS News.