Is this a sign of things to come?

The New York Board of Health has approved a ban on the sale of large soft drinks and other sugary drinks, at restaurants, street carts and movie theatres.

It's the first restriction of its kind in the US.

The measure, unless blocked by a judge, will take effect in six months.

The health board vote will only affect the city of New York, and the American soft drink industry has strongly opposed the plan and vowed this week to try to fight the measure by other means, possibly in the courts.

The idea was championed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The measure would bar the sale of sweetened drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces, smaller than the size of a common soda bottle.

It would affect a range of popular sweetened beverages, including energy drinks, presweetened iced teas and common brands of non-diet soda.

The restrictions would not affect fruit juices, dairy-based drinks like milkshakes, or alcoholic beverages; no-calorie diet sodas would not be affected, but establishments with self-service drink fountains, like many fast-food restaurants, would not be allowed to stock cups larger than 16 ounces.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has said the plan does not limit consumers’ choices, since customers can still purchase as many 16-ounce drinks as they would like.