CENTERVILLE, Ohio -- A local school district is sponsoring a brand-new Just Say No program.

Centerville school officials are urging students to say no to soft drinks.

The school board unanimously voted to stop selling pop in any of the district's schools.

A Pepsi or a Coke product with lunch is an American tradition and America's kids drink more pop than anyone, but not anymore, at least in Centerville.

The school board decided not to put pop in vending machines this year.

David Roer is a medical doctor and a Centerville school board member and he said child obesity rates for American students have more than doubled in the last 20 years.

The processed sugars in soft drinks play a large role in promoting obesity, a condition that can lead to lots of other medical problems, like type ii diabetes.

On any given day in Centerville, almost 2,000 students eat lunch in one of the three cafeterias.

Students can still bring a can of pop from home, but if they buy their drink at school, the only choices are healthy choices.

Students faced surprising choices when school started two weeks ago because vending machines were packed with Pepsi products, but no pop.

Some young people understand the concern about obesity, but most doubt this plan will change student behavior.

Still, school board members think this is the right, and healthy choice.

The Centerville school board sai9d they're not alone in this initiative because many districts are taking similar steps.

They say California just passed a similar stop to soft drinks in schools on a state-wide basis.