A new set of advertisements may cause you to reconsider your beverage.

Governor Neil Abercrombie and the Department of Health have launched the “Rethink Your Drink” campaign. It’s a new series of advertisements targeting teen and childhood obesity. It urges kids to put down the soda and start making healthier choices.  

Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy says that too often ads   promote unhealthy, sugar-sweetened beverages. 

The anti-obesity campaign ads were created using input from Hawaii students.  Fuddy says in order for the ads to be effective, they need to resonate with younger viewers. 

Governor Abercrombie continues to urge lawmakers to pass a bill that would place a tax on soda…which would generate funding for obesity prevention programs. The Senate Bill recently passed its second reading.

Full audio available here:

(Molly Solomon / HPR News)