NYC's Board of Health votes to ban the sale of large sugary drinks

The New York City's Board of Health has voted to ban the sale of large sugary drinks.

The ban applies to drinks larger than 16 ounces. Eyewitness News Reporter Jennifer Lee tells us what this means for the Big Apple and possibly for all New Yorkers.

"It seems like the constitution means less and less every day," said one Utica resident, William Bouchei.

Many residents in Central New York think the newly passed soda ban in New York City is unnecessary.

"They'll just buy two sodas if they want it that bad. It's not taking away what they can get its just taking away a size," said Bouchei.

The ban is designed to help combat obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles.

So the next time you stop by restaurants, movie theaters or food carts in city, You won't be able to order an extra-large. One Central New Yorker says the government is overstepping its boundaries.

"I don't think they have a say in it one way or another. I think people are going to find a way around it," said Joel Bertin.

This move is expected to draw protest from the soda industry. Companies like McDonald's and Coca-Cola are calling the ban misguided and arbitrary. Oneida County's Public Health Educator, Jesse Orton says it's good to be aware your sugar intake.

"Research does indicate that the consumption of sugary beverages is the one food item linked to obesity in recent studies," said Orton.

Officials say Americans consume 200 to 300 hundred more calories daily than we did 30 years ago, with the largest increase due to sugary drinks.

But to fight obesity or not, area residents say there are other more important issues to facing New York City.