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<br /> <br /> Feb 20 2008 5:52PM CTFH (808) 946-6197 <br /> <br /> <br /> / COALITION FOR A <br /> TOBACCO-FREE HAWAII <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Date: February20, 2008 <br /> <br /> To, Hawaii County Council, Pete Hoffmann, Chair, K. Angel Pilago, Vice Chair <br /> Hearing Date & Time: February 21, 2008, 10:30 A.M. <br /> <br /> ..y <br /> Ref: Bill 224 <br /> TESTIMONY IN STRONG SUPPORT C~ mj <br /> <br /> Good morning Chair Hoffman, Vice Chair Pilago, and members Hawaii County C& it O, r r2 <br /> George Massengale. I am the Policy Director of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Fre fihwaii.: a(+t w <br /> <br /> for once again allowing our organization to offer testimony in strong support of:Bi II 2,t4 thy: At <br /> f <br /> prohibit smoking in all County Parks, Beaches, and Recreational Facilities. The Ci_LW40n~z, <br /> statewide association of non-profit organizations, businesses, and 2,000 individuals comm (,v4, <br /> working together to reduce the negative impact of tobacco on the health of Hawadi's child) . zo c tl <br /> and visitors. Many of our members live, work, and raise families on the Big Island. <br /> <br /> <br /> Two years ago, the Coalition along with many partner organizations including Tobacco-Fr- : 13. <br /> <br /> Island & the Hawaii Island Tobacco-Free Partnership-West Hawaii, undertook a campaign t n; k e <br /> all workplaces and public places free from the hazards of secondhand smoke. Laat year we sop] 1( t . i? <br /> the effort to make Kahalu'u Beach Park in Kailua-Kona smoke-free, thus enhancing the ber :he <br /> <br /> appeal to families, children and visitors. <br /> <br /> Two weeks ago, Deborah Zysman, who testified before you, thanked the Hawai'i County ('t u.n,.;: f <br /> <br /> taking the first-steps to make the big island's outdoor facilities smoke-free. In do: ng so it j( i as th <br /> 615 municipalities in the United States have prohibited smoking in public outdoor pis +!!S, <br /> <br /> including parks and beaches. The benefits of having smoke-free outdoor facilities are ma l ; anc <br /> there are no disadvantages. From a health perspective, many people suffer from various t ics <br /> lung diseases, even a waft of secondhand cigarette smoke can trigger an asthraa attack ( r <br /> <br /> exacerbate emphysema. Because of this many individuals are excluded from using big is 'a ui I, <br /> ; <br /> or visiting beaches where there is smoking. <br /> <br /> 1500 S. Beretania Street, Ste. 309 • Honolulu. HI 96826 • (808) 946-6851 phone • (808) 946-6197 fax <br /> <br /> Gomm. No, 474eA• 9S <br /> Ref. To. G U," OZ/ <br /> Ref. Date FEB 2 7fing <br />