COM 0942.015 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 1, 2008 To: Donald Ikeda, Chairperson County Council Committee Members Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Committee Fr: Devin Liva: High school student from Keaau High school Peer education RE: WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 224, Relating To Smoking in Certain Places in the County of Hawai'i Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 9:30 a.m. Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation My name is Devin Liva, and I attend Keaau High school's peer education, and I strongly support Bill 224, which would prohibit use of tobacco products at all County of Hawaii parks and beaches, effectively providing a clean and healthy environment for Hawaii's keiki, ohana, visitors and wildlife. I am a student at Keaau High School and I attend our peer education program, and REAL. REAL is a youth led movement against the tobacco industry. My family and I also attend our beaches frequently. When I am at the beach I see people smoking, and throwing all their butts on the ground. It makes me angry that they are littering our beaches. By throwing their butts it subjects a lot of things to being potentially threatened and killed. When I see a beach littered with cigarette butts, I then choose not to frequent that beach. Last year, Kahalu'u Beach Park in Kona went smoke-free let's do the same for the rest of the island. Passing Bill 224 will make visiting all County parks and beaches a more pleasurable experience. In conclusion, I support this Bill 224 because; I do not want to see butts littering my beaches. I do not want the environment and its inhabitants to become destroyed. I want to be able to enjoy our beaches. Secondhand smoke is a known health and environmental hazard. The public's health should be protected wherever possible, including while enjoying Hawaii's parks and beaches. Please accept this written testimony in support of this bill. Sincerely, Devin Liva HCR-2 Box 9610 Keaau, HI 96749