Rethink that drink, and don’t smoke, too

While the debate rages in Hawaii about whether to impose a tax on sugar-laden drinks, it’s good to see something being done in the meantime about the state’s obesity problem — specifically the creation of broadcast and print public service announcements by the state Department of Health that urge people to "Rethink Your Drink."

Students from private and public schools were involved in creating the ads, which aim to steer teens away from sugary drinks and toward healthier choices such as water. (That’s gotta be a tough sell.)

Interesting that the $275,000 for the campaign came from the state’s share of tobacco settlement money. Since obesity is unrelated to the tobacco issue, this may be an ominous sign for those worried that money collected from a soda tax might be used for purposes other than fighting obesity.