© 2024 Hawaiʻi Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Year after year, local health advocates push for a sugar tax. Will 2022 be successful?

A dental researcher says he's concerned that excessive soda consumption is leading to severe erosion of teeth.
iStockphoto.com
.

Year after year, proponents of a sugar tax push for legislation they believe will make for a healthier Hawaiʻi. Will 2022 be successful? Diabetes, obesity, tooth decay and heart disease are why health advocates keep up their campaign. They aim to lower those rates and are coming out early to champion the passage of a bill for a tax on sugary drinks.

The Conversation sat down to talk with Amanda Fernandes, Policy and Advocacy Director at Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, and Dr. Lynn Fujimoto, President of the Hawaii Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

The sugary drink bill is slated to be on the agenda in the upcoming legislative session. This segment aired on The Conversation on Dec. 6, 2021.

Lillian Tsang is the senior producer of The Conversation. She has been part of the talk show team since it first aired in 2011. Contact her at ltsang@hawaiipublicradio.org.
Related Stories