Love him or hate him, former United States president Bill Clinton deserves a big pat on the back for his role in brokering a deal that puts a stop to the sale of sugary, fizzy sodas in the countrys schools. The nations top beverage makers have agreed to sell only water, unsweetened juice and low-fat milks to elementary and middle schools. High school vending machines and cafeterias will see a similar exodus of sugary sodas, although diet drinks and sports drinks would still be available.

Announcing the deal in New York today (04 May 2006) Clinton described the deal as a bold step forward in the struggle to help 35 million young people lead healthier lives, adding that it could add years and years and years to their lives.

For once a politician is not exaggerating. Fizzy drinks in schools are widely acknowledged as one of the major contributors to the growing child and teenage obesity problem world-wide.

With industry heavyweights Cadbury Schweppes, Coca-Cola and Pepsi on board, its estimated that the agreement will reach nearly 90 percent of the school beverage market.

This deal could indeed have a huge positive effect of the nations future health. Could it be that Clinton will end up making a bigger impact on the nation through his role in this one deal than he did in two terms as president?

Advocates of healthy food in schools, while welcoming the agreement as a positive first step, say it does not go far enough, pointing to the calories in sports drinks and some flavoured milks as an example.

Gary Ruskin of Commercial Alert, a non-profit organization that opposes commercialism and promotes public health had additional concerns. He said the deal still appeared to allow beverage companies to advertise in schools, on scoreboards and vending machines.

He asked whether there was any enforcement mechanism built into the deal and questioned its implementation timetable, pointing out that the industry signatories had not promised to fully implement it even by the 2009/2010 school year.

These are valid points, but for now, it seems churlish to rain on Bills parade.

His foundation and its collaborator in this deal, the American Heart Association, themselves acknowledge that this is only the first step in a campaign for healthier food in schools.

This is really the beginning of a major effort to modify childhood obesity at the level of the school systems, said Heart Association president Robert Eckel.

So for now, lets give this deal the applause it deserves, but watch this space