Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg has called for a ban on the sale of large-sized containers of sugary drinks in an attempt to tackle obesity.
The proposals will affect fast food restaurants, delicatessens, sports venues and cinemas.
Drinks sold in supermarkets and diet or fruit drinks are exempt.
If approved, the ban could come into effect next year.
New York's Health Commissioner Dr Tom Farley said the government had a duty to help people make the right choices.
“We have a crisis of obesity and the people often go with the default choice,” Dr Farley said.
The ban, possibly taking effect by next March, would target what Mr Bloomberg, already a leading crusader for clean living, calls a fatness "epidemic".
"There's an epidemic in this country of people being overweight, bordering on obesity. The percentage of people who are obese is skyrocketing," Mayor Bloomberg said in an interview on MSNBC television.
The prohibition, which would not need city council approval, would restrict soda drink servings to no more than 16oz. - larger than a normal can - but only half the size of the biggest, bucket-like containers available in cinemas, sports arenas and other outlets.
There was an immediate backlash against what critics of Mr Bloomberg see as an attempt to turn America's largest city into a nanny state.
Smoking has been banned in New York offices, bars, parks and beaches, while mass transport is plastered with gruesome advertising against unhealthy diets.
Artificial trans-fat is also outlawed and all bars and restaurants have been forced to display sanitary inspection grades in their front windows.
"There they go again," the New York City Beverage Association said in a statement.
"The New York City Health Department's unhealthy obsession with attacking soft drinks is again pushing them over the top.
"The city is not going to address the obesity issue by attacking soda, because soda is not driving the obesity rates," the industry organisation said.
"These zealous proposals just distract from the hard work that needs to be done."
