Is the proposed NYC soda ban worth it?

A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most respected medical journals in the world, examined the impact of the Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed NYC soda ban.  The soda ban would limit sugar-sweetened beverages to 16oz, essentially banning supersize drinks.

The study suggested that the 62% of all drinks currently consumed at fast food restaurants would be affected by the ban, with the mean caloric intake per beverage ~200 calories today.  The study goes on to suggest that if all these consumers downsized to a 16oz sodas, the average calorie saving per consumer would be ~60 calories per person.

So I have to ask is 60 calories per person worth the effort of the ban and the backlash/outrage associated with it?  Well, yes and no.  Yes, if you assume a person will consume those 60 calories a day every day of the year adding up to 21,900 incremental calories per year.  If you assume there are 3,500 calories per pound, that's over 6 lbs of extra sugar a year in weight, which could have serious health implications over the long-run.  But, no if you assume infrequent consumption.  Net-net, I was surprised the ban only cuts the caloric intake by 60 calories per person on average, but also surprised how quickly just 60 calories a day adds up to real numbers.