Another study with more bad news for sugar

So, the Legislature’s almost done for the session, and the folks whose business is in soda or other sugar-added drinks probably feel they’ve dodged another bullet. No soda tax again this time.

They might want to steel themselves for another round in a year. Over the weekend a story broke about a European study of the effects of sugar drinks. The news wasn’t so sweet.

Researchers led by a team based at Imperial College in London concluded that drinking even one 12-ounce can of the stuff each day may boost the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

And everyone knows about the expense treatment for diabetes adds to health-care costs. That would be the policy argument for a soda tax.

Lots of noxious smells at bus stops

Having enacted a ban on smoking at seven Honolulu beaches and now moving toward extending it at all city-operated beaches and parks, the City Council has begun considering the addition of bus stops.

Councilman Ron Menor says this "is about promoting the health and well-being of bus riders who are exposed to secondhand smoke while waiting at bus stops." It’s already illegal to smoke at bus stops with a roof and three walls. But we’ll see what happens at the May 8 Council meeting. Maybe bill detractors will make a stronger case against bus-exhaust fumes than tobacco fumes.