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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> TO: HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> <br /> EMAIL: counciltestimonvCcDco.hawaii.hi,us <br /> <br /> <br /> RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 224 <br /> Relating To Smoking In Certain Places In The County Of Hawaii <br /> Committee hearing February 5, 2008 <br /> <br /> <br /> February 4, 2008 <br /> <br /> My name is Alana Reis, UH Manoa undergraduate with a major in Environmental <br /> Studies, and I strongly support Bill 224, which would prohibit smoking at all Parks <br /> and Beaches on the Big Island. <br /> <br /> 80% of butts on the ground find their way into our water systems and detract <br /> from the quality of our drinking water. <br /> <br /> Cigarette butts can leach chemicals such as cadmium, lead and arsenic into our <br /> marine environment within an hour of contact with water. <br /> <br /> Cigarette butts have been found in the stomachs of fish, whales, birds and other <br /> marine animals which leads to ingestion of hazardous chemicals and digestive <br /> blockages. <br /> <br /> Animals, marine life, and toddlers who ingest dropped cigarette butts can <br /> become ill or die from them. <br /> <br /> It is for the reasons I've noted above that I strongly encourage the Council to <br /> pass this ordinance. This is a good bill, it will go a long way in addressing <br /> protections for our ecosystems. <br /> <br /> Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill. <br /> <br /> Sincerely, <br /> <br /> <br /> Alana Katherine Reis <br />