Transfats are already banned in New York City restaurants, and have been for four years.

Now a state legislator is proposing that restaurants throughout the state be prohibited from using salt in preparing meals.

Felix Ortiz (pictured), holding the seat of Brooklyn in the New York State Assembly, is arguing that salt is a major contributor to heart attacks and strokes, and says health care costs are rising as a result.

He says salt is as major a cause of health ailments as smoking.

Ortiz is not the lone ranger in the state either. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is also getting tough on salt, as blood pressure levels in the city are being pushed sky-high. Bloomberg is aiming to reduce salt levels in restaurant foods by 25% over 5 years.

Ortiz however wants an outright ban. His proposed law, Bill A. 10129, says, "No owner or operator of a restaurant in this state shall use salt in any form in the preparation of food for consumption by customers."