The state Board of Education has given initial approval to ban the sale of sugary soft drinks to students at school from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning in fall 2007.

The policy, which the board voted on Friday, will be reviewed Oct. 19 to give the public time to comment.

Since June, state board members have wrestled with a policy on beverage sales in vending machines at schools. The original policy they rejected would have removed all soft drinks immediately.

The policy is required by state law.

Diet soft drinks could still be sold in Mississippi high schools as part of the policy.