A federal judge for the Northern District of California has rejected an attempt to block a new San Francisco law that requires all sugar-sweetened beverage advertisements contain a health warning, according to the Associated Press.
The law, one of a trio of measures targeting sugar-sweetened beverages, was approved by the city’s Board of Supervisors last year and is scheduled to go into effect in July. The American Beverage Association later sued the city alleging the law violates the First Amendment. US District Court Judge Edward M. Chen denied the association’s request for an injunction to delay the enforcement of the law while the case makes its way through the legal system.
Under the new ordinance advertisements—on billboards, bus shelters, pedi-cabs, etc.—would be required to carry the message “Warning: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. This is a message from the City and County of San Francisco.”