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<br /> ~ January 21, 1997 <br /> Mayor Stephen Yamashiro <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Dear Mayor Yamashiro, <br /> I am writing this to bring to your attention concerns many of us have <br /> for the health hazards that are being imposed. upon our children. i?any <br /> times during their participation in athletic activities they are being <br /> subjected to tobacco smoke. This is happening at the County gyms during <br /> basketball practice and games as well as other sports. For over a year <br /> now I have been asking smoking spectators to please not stand in the <br /> doorway due to the effects it has on the children, especially the ones <br /> with asthma. 99/ of the people politely comply however, there are those <br /> who insist it is their right. The smoker feels if their cigarette is <br /> out of the building it should be not be a problem. As I'm sure you are <br /> aware, that smoke ends up in the building. The children constantly <br /> complain, as for the m, to be in a building for 1 1/2 hours running up and <br /> down the gym court trying their best, it is very difficult when the <br /> quality of the air they breathe is so poor. <br /> It has been well documented that secondhand smoke/sidestream smoke is <br /> a Class A carcinogen. The real threat that tobacco smoke presents is <br /> much more than cancer as the attached literature shows. For a child <br /> who has asthma the danger is more immediate and severe. During a recent <br /> basketball tournament one of our team members had one such severe attack <br /> due to the high concentration of tobacco smoke in the enclosed area, Why <br /> are we allowing this to happen to our children? When the function is <br /> an activity involving our youth shouldn't their right to participate <br /> in a safe and healthy environment overrule a smokers' right to smoke <br /> near the doorway? <br /> I have discussed this with George Xoshida 12/30/96. At that time I <br /> volunteered to supply paint, stencils and time to help get signs up <br /> so that this problem does not continue. He said that was not necessary <br /> and that he would circulate a memo regarding the posting of signs. <br /> Unfortunately the memo that Boas circulated made no mention of where to <br /> put the signs so, the signs were put inside of the gyms and the problem <br /> with smokers at the doorways has continued at least at the last 2 out <br /> of 3 games. For the message to get to the smokers it needs to be posted <br /> on the doors where they choose to stand. It would be even more helpful <br /> if the signs were on the buildings before the doorways. I am happy to <br /> see at Andrews Gym the no smoking signs are on each entrance door. <br /> My husband has been coaching basketball for over 7 years. The parents <br /> of our players are always told that we discourage smoking anywhere <br /> around the players or playing area. t^Je wish to lead by example, instill <br /> good values, good sportsmanship, and strive to have team spirit. To <br /> allow smoking to continue around their playing area presents a very <br /> bad example in addition do a well known health hazard.. <br /> <br />