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PCHSW-7 Page 2 December 5, 2023 <br />Committee Member Cindy Evans said that she appreciated the presentation and testimony and her <br />comment was directed at regular tobacco versus flavored tobacco and how it's important to make that <br />distinction. The flavoring is targeting young people, not adults. Turning it into candy is what makes it <br />appealing. She is glad this bill is coming forward but offered a concern about menthol being included, <br />as it might be going a bit too far, since menthol is something that has been around forever and some <br />may not be in support of this. <br />One of the presenters, Jennifer Valera, shared their organization's concern that if menthol is not <br />included in the bill then Big Tobacco can make the flavors "cool strawberry" or "pink mint" and <br />because it has the menthol in it then they can include mint or menthol to make it an additional <br />appealing item. <br />Ms. Evans says menthol additives with additional flavors maybe should be banned, but most adults <br />who would otherwise support this might have concerns regarding banning menthol cigarettes because <br />they have been around for so long. <br />Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder questioned the maker, if this is for ANY and ALL <br />cigarettes that are flavored, including vaping. <br />Another presenter, Shani Kai Carvalho, responded yes and reiterated that if they don't include ALL <br />flavored items then Big Tobacco will find that loophole to get around the ban. She highlighted that as a <br />Native Hawaiian, it is important to highlight that it is 31 percent of Native Hawaiian population. <br />Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder says that he completely understands this concern for the youth and agrees <br />with the intent. He said he asked his daughter how many kids are smoking/vaping at her school and she <br />said 75 percent. <br />Committee Member Rebecca Villegas thanked the youth for being present and told them that they are <br />our future. She admitted that smoking is something that she has chosen to take up as an adult and <br />appreciates that it was something that she was kept safe from as a kid. Ms. Villegas said that recently <br />she tried to buy menthol cigarettes in California and was unable to buy them there. She said if <br />California can pass a ban like this then so can we. She said she will be supporting it to have it lined up <br />and being prepared for home rule. <br />Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz said that she will be supporting the bill, as she has an 11 and <br />6 year old that have already been exposed to people at that young age that vape. Her kids will look at <br />public record and know that mom did the right thing. She said with excellent testimony and <br />presentations, evidence is clear that this is necessary to protect our youth. She quoted some of the <br />alarming statistics that were presented earlier and said that it is something that we must take action on. <br />This bill will put pressure on the State to see our Counties taking proactive measures. Ms. Kierkiewicz <br />wants to model best behavior for her kids, and is training for a marathon, and cutting out alcohol and <br />cigarettes, to show them that we don't have to resort to drugs and alcohol to deal with pressure and <br />stress. This bill will send a powerful message that we will prioritize the health and well-being of our <br />community over profit. <br />Committee Member Michelle Galimba said that she missed some of the discussion on preemption and <br />legal reasoning and asked Judge Strance to come up and provide some background. <br />PCHSW Report No. 7 <br />