COM 0314.067 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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J 3-:' , ~'i OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR STATE OF HAWAII ware caviroi HONOLULU HAWAU 96813 MAZIE K. NIRONO PHONE 18081 586-0255 uEUTENaNT GOVERNOR December 18, 1996 After declining steadily for years, tobacco use in America has leveled off and even shows signs of increasing. A major factor in this disturbing trend is that smoking among children and adolescents is at an all-time high. The average age of first time tobacco-users in the U.S. is only thirteen years. The Hawaii State Department of Education recently reported that an alarming 34 percent of Hawaii high school students are regular smokers. Last year, 1,132 Hawaii residents died from tobacco- related illnesses, 16 percent of deaths for that year. These deaths were preventable. Faced with these kinds of statistics, the Clinton Administration is doing something about it, through a new policy initiative, the first of its kind. For the first time, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a plan to curb tobacco advertisements that deliberately target children and to restrict access of tobacco products to children. On August 23, President Clinton approved the FDA rules implementing the plan. This booklet contains dramatic statements from Hawaii's youth about tobacco use, its impact on their friends and families, and their feelings about being targeted by tobacco industry advertising. We can help our youth here in Hawaii by supporting the FDA's initiative to regulate the marketing and distribution of tobacco products to kids, and by continuing to adopt tough anti-tobacco measures of our own. I commend the 1,500 Hawaii students for speaking out against tobacco and congratulate the Hawaii Department of Health for compiling their statements into this compelling booklet. By working together to prevent smoking, our community can provide a healthier future for Hawaii's children. Aloha, ~ MAZIE K. HIRONO