Kozhikode: Taking a cue from the traders in Tamil Nadu, their counterparts in Kerala are planning to ban the sale of soft drinks such as Coca Cola and Pepsi.
A section of the traders said they want to boycott the products and register their protest against the exploitation of water by the multinational companies at a time when the state is reeling under severe drought.
Read: Tamil Nadu traders ban Coke & Pepsi, call them 'toxic' drinks
However, Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopna Samiti president T. Naseeruddeen said a final decision in this regard will be taken only after a meeting with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan next Tuesday.
Naseeruddeen said once the association announces the boycott, nearly seven lakh shopkeepers will stop the sale of soft drinks.
He said instead of fizzy drinks, sale of indigenous beverages and tender coconut will be promoted.
Earlier, traders in Tamil Nadu had banned the sale of products by Coca Cola and PepsiCo.