Task force to study health link with sugary beverages

After a failed attempt to get support for a soda tax last session, Gov. Neil Abercrombie will set up a task force to identify and implement a solution to childhood obesity.

"The fact remains that the link between sugar-sweetened beverages and health is undeniable," Abercrombie said last week in his State of the State address. "The policies or the proposals that might be associated with that and reaching out to deal with it, that may be subject to discussion."

Sen. Josh Green (D, Milo­lii-Wai­mea), chairman of the Senate Healt­­h Committee, said the task force will likely consider a sweetened-beverage tax as a possible solution but that he has not decided whether he will support one this legislative session.

"I have not made my decision," said Green, also an emergency room doctor.

Green said he believes the state could lower medical costs by 30 percent if it "really went the extra mile" in supporting incentives for adopting healthy lifestyles.

Those incentives could include offering people breaks in health insurance costs for attending wellness programs, creating a coding system to trace doctor visits related to obesity or diabetes, and strengthening rules regarding soda distribution in schools and public places, Green said.

Abercrombie proposed $1 million be used to research early childhood and health initiatives, and Green said that sum is reasonable. Green said $250,000 to $500,000 is enough money to run a strong task force, one that includes state and national experts, and that he is pleased the governor has allotted about that much to this effort.

"If we’re going to do a task force, we have to do it right," Green said. That means including health professionals, consumer and business groups, and policymakers in the discussion, he said.

Karen Campbell, founder and president of Wai­alua Soda Works, said even though she did not support the sweetened-beverage tax last year, she would be open to serving on such a task force if invited and if "it was going to be an open and honest discussion."

"If it were to honestly be an open task force, I think yes, it would be good to have somebody from the industry onboard," Campbell said.

Campbell has two young children who, she said — despite the family’s business making carbonated drinks with local ingredients — do not get soda every day.

"Certainly you get your treat," she said. "Making wise choices at every age is extremely important."

The state Department of Health would handle the task force. Spokes­woman Jan­ice Okubo said more information will be available in coming days as responsibilities for the task force are outlined.