Pepsi gets out front.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Pepsi-Cola has demonstrated its ability to read and respond to the public mood by removing carbonated drinks from its vending machines in Eugene School District high schools. Soda pop is on its way out of public schools in Eugene, and probably elsewhere as well. By leaving before being forced out, Pepsi can claim a public relations victory. Coca-Cola should do the same.

The Eugene School Board will vote next month on a proposed wellness policy that is intended to promote healthful diets and exercise among students at all grade levels. Other school districts, in response to a federal mandate, will soon be considering similar policies. The problem of obesity among children is plainly linked to poor diet and a lack of exercise, and wellness policies are an overdue response.

The Eugene district's policy strongly discourages junk food, including soda pop. The only question is whether to ban the sale of soda pop from school grounds right away, or wait until contracts between the district and the soft drink companies expire in three years.

The contracts allow Pepsi and Coke to have soft drink vending machines at the Eugene district's high schools. The companies paid $320,000 for the placement privilege, and share profits from sales with the district. Pepsi could have stood on its rights and demanded that the school district honor the contract or pay a substantial buyout penalty.

Instead, Pepsi will remove carbonated drinks from all its machines - Sprite, Mountain Dew and the rest of the Pepsi lineup will be gone by Monday. The machines will now sell only such Pepsi products as juices, teas and sports drinks. Not all of these drinks would be a nutritionist's first choice for young people, but it's a big step forward, one that Pepsi took voluntarily at no cost to the school district. Smart move: Pepsi puts itself on the side of those working for healthier children.

Coke should follow suit. Both soda-makers can still count on supplying the huge youth market away from school grounds. But they should embrace the school district's goal of creating at least one place in young people's lives where junk food, including soda pop, is not available. Pepsi was thinking ahead when it realized that the place to be is at the front of the parade, rather than following reluctantly behind.