COM 0942.037 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FROM F+D HOLSCHUH - 3F RANCH PHONE NO. : 7759027 Feb. 01 20108 03: cfiAfl P2 P.O. Boa 2004 Honokan, Hawaii %727 (808) 640-3181 TO: Councilman Donald Ikeda, Chair, Councilman J Yoshimoto, Vice-Chair, and Members, Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation FROM: Fred C. Hoischuh, M.D. SUBJECT: Bill 224 Relating to Smoking DATE: February S, 2008 Chair Ikeda, Vice-Chair Yoshimoto, and Members: Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony on Bill 224, which would ban smoking of and/or use of tobacco products at all county parks and recreationall facilities. As a former councilmember, I was very proud to have worked on Bill 260, which dealt with enclosed places and I supported the subsequent state lave creating a total ban where the public is exposed to second hand smoke. As a physician for 40 years, I am all too familiar with the agonizing consequences of primary tobacco use and second hand smoke. Although the intent of Bill 224 is laudable, I am unable to support it at this time. Certainly we must protect the public from outside tobacco smoke in pavilions, while sitting on the beaches, in bleachers, etc. and we must keep tobacco products off beaches and out of streams, ponds, and the ocean. I believe, however, that a total ban as described in this bill will create antagonism instead of cooperation. It seems to me that designated smoking areas in parks and outdoor recreation areas with proper disposal receptacles might be a more reasonable approach at this time. I would love to see tobacco use vanish from the planet, but failing that, we need education, adult mentoring and many other pathways before such a total outdoor ban is acceptable to the public. Respectfully, Fred C. Holschuh, M.D.