The University of Sydney is considering banning soft drinks from sale on its campus.

The Sydney University Healthy Beverage Initiative on Friday discussed an unsolicited proposal as part of the university’s regular weekly meeting, to change how sugary drinks are promoted to students.

The group, made up of students, researchers and academics, says there is robust scientific evidence shows that sugary drinks are a major contributor to excess sugar consumption and a risk factor for poor dental health, obesity and Type-2 diabetes.

It aims to phase out the sale and promotion of sugary drinks at their sites by 2020, according to its website.

Working with universities in the United States, health services in Australia and New Zealand, and the World Health Organisation, it strives to make “the University of Sydney the first higher education institution in Australia to take this step,” the initiative said.

Its plan involves the university phasing out the sale of sugary drinks on campus; regulating the promotion of soft drinks, including at events run by students’ societies; promoting healthier alternatives; and providing more water fountains.

The action follows the success of Healthy Beverage Initiative in the US, when the University of California San Francisco launched its plan to phasing out sugary drinks from all campus food outlets and vending machines a year ago.

Five years ago the University of Sydney was the first site to completely ban smoking on campus.