On Monday, public health advocates asked New York state lawmakers to have labels on soft drinks. According to the health advocates, labeling on sugary drinks will be to warn people about the dangers of diabetes, obesity and tooth decay.

According to reports, the proposed mandate comes as states in the US fight with the costs of some serious diseases related to the American diet. On Monday, Sharon Akabas, a professor at Columbia University's Institute of Human Nutrition, told the state lawmakers that labeling on sugary drinks could discourage the consumption of products that are linked to harmful health conditions.

Akabas, who is among the several public health experts to support legislation at hearing held New York City, said that legislation will play key role in warning people about dangers of serious health issues. According to Akabas, she hopes that it would be a national label.

As per the reports, the labels on sugary drinks would be same as those on cigarette packs. The labels would go on bottles and cans of soda, teas, juices and other sugary beverages. A number of retailers and beverage companies have opposed the new idea.

Maston Sansom of the Food Industry Alliance of New York State, a grocery store trade group said that it is a complicated issue. He further said, "Manufacturers and retailers shouldn't have to contend with confusing labeling requirements that vary by state. Why sugar-sweetened beverages were being singled out when candy or other unhealthy foods were not".

The legislation faces a number of challenges, mainly in the Republican-controlled Senate. During Monday's hearing, critics said that labeling on soda will not prevent overindulgence. It is naive to think that, according to the critics.

Assemblyman Andrew Raia, a Long Island Republican said that there are warning labels on alcoholic beverages, but people aren't getting the message.