COM 0117.000 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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/aMERICIaN ~~~E~R HAWAII PACIFIC DIVISION, INC_ EAST HAWAII UNIT January 21, 1997 Mayor Stephen Yamashiro County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Mayor Yamashiro, We were notified by a parent, Laura Higa, that there have been occasions when smokers stand outside the Wainaku Gym and Hilo Armory to watch the activities that are going on inside. Cigarette smoke from these spectators travels inside the sports facilities. In one incident, the second hand smoke triggered an asthma attack in a young child at the Wainaku Gym. Second hand smoke presents immediate health hazards like triggering asthma attacks in children and adults. It also presents long term health risks such as, cancer and heart disease. The attached information will provide additional information on the health risks of Second Hand Smoke. We would like to recommend that the County Council take action to protect the citizens of Hawaii County from the hazards of second hand smoke at the County's sports facilities. We understand that Hawaii County Code, Artic% 4, Smoking in Public Places, prohibits smoking within the gym. We further understand, that this county code may not cover the entrances, windows, and lanais of these facilities. This could be remedied by including in this code that smoking is prohibited within a designated perimeter around these sports facilities. This perimeter would keep cigarette smoke from flowing into the Gymnasium, thus eliminating a health hazard to the people inside. The American Cancer Society would be willing to work with the County Department of Parks & Recreation and other pertinent agencies to establish a reasonable distance for this perimeter. Thank you for considering our request. Sincerely, Donna Chalmers Executive Director cc: Hawaii County Council George Yoshida, Parks & Recreation 614 KILAUEA AVENUE, STE. 2, HILO, HAWAII 96720 (808) 935-9763