While the debate over whether or not citizens are wise enough to select what and how much they should drink continues, the authorities in Cambridge, MA feel that excessive consumption of soda and sugary drinks is the reason responsible for a high rise in cases of diabetes and obesity in America. They believe that such drinks are guilty of creating an entire nation that is physically unfit and unhealthy.

Following in the footsteps of the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of Cambridge Henrietta Davis on Monday asked the city's health officials to research her proposal and make a recommendation on limiting beverage sizes.

Davis strongly feels that although America is a democratic country where the people are free to make their own choices, its time that the government put some regulations keeping its peoples' own long term interests in mind.

"As much free will as you can have in a society is a good idea. But with a public health issue, you look at those things that are dangerous for people, that need government regulation," Davis said.

In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal would prohibit licensed food service establishments in the city from using containers bigger than 16 ounces to serve high-calorie drinks like colas.

This means that although consumers are free to buy themselves another round of the drinks of their choice, they could not be served cups bigger than 16 ounces at one go. A similar rule would now be imposed on the restaurants of Cambridge.

The city's mayor's decision is being met with mixed reactions from all over.

Don Puzy, the manager of a 7-Eleven in the city, on Tuesday called the mayor's proposal "absolutely crazy." He opined that he himself sells a lot of the store's signature Big Gulps, but said it's mostly grownups who buy them. "We appreciate her trying to do something about the kids, their weight, but that is not the way to go about it. There are a lot of programs for it ... starting from the schools ... Don't put it on the stores," he added. But there are others who believe that the steps being taken by government is for their own good. Axis Sivitz, a 25 year old from Cambridge thinks a limit would be fine. "When faced with a health crisis, you have to do something about it," opined Sivitz.