COM 0942.023 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 1, 2008 To: Donald Ikeda, Chariperson County Council Committee Members Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Committee From: Erin Moncada Director of Health Initiatives The American Cancer Society, Hawaii Pacific, Inc. Re: WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 224, Relating to Smoking in Certain Places in the County of Hawaii Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 9:30 a.m. Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation My name is Erin Moncada, and behalf of the American Cancer Society, Hawaii Pacific, Inc., I am writing in support of Bill 224. Our Board of Directors for Hawaii Pacific has adopted goals related to reducing tobacco use as an important step in the fight against cancer. The first two of these goals read as follows: 1. By 2015, decrease adult (18 and older) tobacco use to 12%. 2. By 2015, decrease youth (under 18 years of age) tobacco use to 10%. We know that tobacco use accounts for about one-third of cancer deaths. This year, 2,260 residents of our state will die from cancer. By decreasing smoking in our population, we can significantly lower that sad number. I am myself a resident of the County of Hawaii, and would be proud to see our county lead the way for the rest of the state in protecting the health of our children. Parks and beaches provide wonderful opportunities for children and families to enjoy outdoor activities together to improve health. The more we adults can do to model healthy lifestyle choices for our children, we can change those cancer statistics for their future. As a cancer survivor who watched her mother die of cancer, I am dedicated to eradicating this disease and the suffering it causes. Please accept my personal plea in addition to the goals of the American Cancer Society as written testimony in support of this bill. Sincerely, Erin Moncada 200 Kanoelehua Ave. #228, Hilo, HI 96720 808-333-5829, erin.moncada@cancer.org