BOSTON (CBS) – Mayor Tom Menino issued an executive order to ban the sale of sugary drinks on Boston city property on Thursday.

“I want to make this a healthier choice, the easier choice in people’s daily lives, whether it’s the schools, the work sites or other places in the community,” Menino said.

WBZ-TV’s Jim Smith reports

The mayor’s office, along with the Boston Public Health Commission, said Menino is issuing this order because of the link between sugary drinks and rising obesity rates and health care costs.

“There are high costs associated with these high rates of unhealthy weight, both at the personal level in terms of poor health outcomes, and at the societal level in terms of decreases in worker productivity and the rising health care costs,” said Barbara Ferrer of the Boston Public Health Commission.

The order “sets science-based standards for what’s considered a healthy beverage and what can be sold or served on City property,” according to a city press release.

The policy applies to cafeterias, vending machines, concession stands, and beverages served at meetings, City-run programs, and events where food is purchased with City dollars.

Back in 2004, Menino banned soda and junk food from being sold in public school vending machines, and now he’s taking his battle city-wide.

“Now is the time to expand our efforts that began in our public schools and set an example for the city as a whole,” Mayor Menino said, referring to the 2004 ban.

The mayor hopes the city takes steps over the next six months to phase out the sale of the sugary beverages, which are labeled in three categories:

RED BEVERAGES

After a six-month grace period, city buildings will be required to phase out the sale of these so-called “red” beverages, like:

Non-diet sodas

Pre-sweetened ice teas

Refrigerated coffee drinks

Energy drinks

Juice drinks with added sugar

Sports drinks

The promotion of these “red” beverages on City property will also be banned.

YELLOW BEVERAGES

The order allows for the sale of “yellow” beverages, but advises consumers to drink them occasionally:

Diet sodas

Diet iced teas

100 percent juices

Low-calorie sports drinks

Low-sugar sweetened beverages

Sweetened soymilk

Flavored, sweetened milk

GREEN BEVERAGES

These “green” beverages can continue to be sold:

Bottled water

Flavored and unflavored seltzer water

Low-fat milk

Unsweetened soymilk

The Boston Public Health Commission has developed a guide for City workers and visitors to help them make a healthier choice, along with the slogan: “Stop. Rethink Your Drink. Go on Green.”