SACRAMENTO, Calif. – State Sen. Bill Monning wants to warn people of the dangers of drinking sweetened soda by affixing a label on the beverages, the Santa Cruz Sentinel News reports. Monning’s legislation passed its first hurdle this week.

“The status quo is unacceptable,” he said. “There is a public health epidemic in this state.” Monning pointed to studies that show a correlation between sugar-sweetened drinks and obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The bill is sort of a consolation prize after Monning’s earlier attempts to tax soda failed.

His measure would place the following on beverage labels: “STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.” In addition, retailers selling bottled or dispensed soft drinks would have to place warning posters in the store, with up to $500 in penalties for violations.

Dietician Lisa Katic, appearing for the California-Nevada Soft Drink Association, said that such warnings could exacerbate the obesity epidemic, while doctors support the bill. “While people may know that drinking a sugar-sweetened beverage is not as healthy as eating your vegetables, what they don't know is how these products are linked to illness and chronic disease,” said Monning.