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<br /> Print Page 1 of 1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> From: Council Testimony (counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us) <br /> To: hawaiicountycouncil@yahoo.com <br /> Date: Tuesday, March It, 2008 4:14:32 PM <br /> Subject: FW: Bill 224 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> From: Terry Miura [maitto:teny_miura@yahoo.com) <br /> Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 1:33 PM <br /> To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Subject: Bill 224 <br /> March 11, 2008 <br /> <br /> Honorable Members of the County Council, <br /> <br /> Bill 224 poses many questions regarding a person's freedom to smoke and another person's freedom to <br /> breathe clean, fresh air. There have been many letters to the editor and I have spoken to many people on <br /> the subject and even our Mayor says he will veto it. Pm sure there are many smokers who are courteous <br /> smokers and are aware of where their smoke goes and then dispose of their butts properly, however my <br /> experience is that most smokers are NOT aware and throw their butts on the beach, out the car window <br /> or wherever they are when they are done smoking. I would like to see the bill passed in it's original <br /> form, but if it means that it won't make it at all without some amendments, I offer these suggestions. <br /> 1) Start small. Ban smoking at all County Beach Parks. This is where the cigarette butts do the most <br /> damage as they are closer to the ocean or in it. Cigarette butts are LITTER and a very toxic litter. As I <br /> mentioned in my previuos testimony, cigarette butts are the number one type of litter worldwide. See <br /> how it works at our beach parks and then move on to other parks and facilities. <br /> 2) For the law to be effective, you must educate the public on the hazards of cigarette smoking as well as <br /> the damaging effect of the litter it causes. Keep America Beautiful says "education and public <br /> awareness of the problem are key to reducing litter". It is not enough just to pass laws. <br /> 3) If you decide to make designated "smoking areas", remember that the wind still blows and it can <br /> change direction at any time, which means it will still affect the quality of the air we all breathe. Also <br /> you need to make sure there is a very visible place for people to throw their butts so this designated area <br /> doesn't become a cigarette butt wasteland and cause more litter problems. <br /> For some of you this may be a difficult vote, but if you think about the overall health of the people on <br /> our island and the reduction of toxic litter from our parks, I'm sure you will make the right decision. <br /> Mahalo for your time, <br /> Terry Miura <br /> <br /> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> C9omm. No. <br /> Ref. To.pMr 1N <br /> ron <br /> Ref. Dote MAR 1 20 <br /> <br /> <br /> httv://us.mg2.mail.vahoo.com/dcAaunch?.rand=80indi5ib6k9b 3/11/2008 <br />