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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> February 1, 2008 <br /> <br /> TO: Donald Ikead, Chairperson <br /> County Council Committee Members <br /> Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Committee <br /> <br /> FR: Trey Saunders: REAL, Keaau high school peer education <br /> <br /> RE: WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 224, <br /> Relating to Smoking Certain Places in the County of Hawai'i <br /> Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 9:30 a.m. <br /> Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation <br /> <br /> My name is Trey Saunders I am a member of REAL. REAL is a statewide youth led <br /> movement against the tobacco industry. I am also a Keaau High schools peer education <br /> student and I strongly support Bill 224, which would prohibit use of tobacco products at <br /> all County of Hawaii parks and beaches, effectively providing clean and healthy <br /> environment for Hawaii's keiki, ohana, visitors and wildlife. <br /> <br /> I support Bill 224 for numerous reasons; I will tell you a few of them. I attend our <br /> County beach or park facilities with younger individuals. It is detrimental to expose them <br /> to individuals who portray that smoking is ok. We want to make this impression that <br /> smoking is not ok, it's not safe. I also hate to have to be exposed to second hand smoke. <br /> Having to breathe in the toxic air is so horrific; it lingers onto the fibers of your clothing <br /> and hair. You then take the toxins home with you. Lastly, I really do not like the image <br /> it portrays to my peers that smoking is acceptable. <br /> <br /> Last year, Kahalu'u Beach Park in Kona went smoke-free let's do the same for the rest of <br /> the island. Passing Bill 224 will make visiting all County parks and beaches a more <br /> pleasurable experience. <br /> <br /> In conclusion I am in support of Bill 224 because our youth and individuals are heavily <br /> exposed subconsciously the image that smoking is acceptable. Our younger generation <br /> are being heavily influenced by either the smoker or their lasting affect on our <br /> environment; the waste. As well as the lasting affects of second hand smoke that people <br /> are exposed to from individuals who smoke in these public places. Second hand smoke it <br /> a known health and environmental hazard. The public's health should be protected <br /> wherever, possible, including while enjoying Hawaii's parks and beaches. <br /> Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill. <br /> <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Trey Saunders <br /> HCR-2 Box 9610 <br /> Keaau, HI 96749 <br />