COM 0942.141 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 7, 2008 The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, and Council Members Page 2 I again ask the Council to reconsider Bill 224 and how this County can reach the desired goals of a smoke-free community. I have had many discussions with and communications from people on both sides of this issue. Perhaps the most impactful statements received are the following, from an email message from the public that was also sent to Council members: "It is always far more effective to request cooperation than to ban, regulate or restrict. How do we ask for, and gain the cooperation of smokers? We could replace old trash barrels with receptacles that include a safe place for cigarette butt disposal. This alone would greatly reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter in the parks. We could unofficially designate all County parks as "clean air zones." This would invite cooperation and create ongoing opportunities for press coverage. Creating these unofficial zones would position the County in the forefront of placing health and cooperation with its residents as high priorities. We could create small attractive park signs that ask citizens not to smoke, "for the keiki." We could place attractive signs on the receptacles that ask smokers to use them, "to respect the aina." We can beef up our education efforts and emphasize the positive momentum we're achieving toward becoming smoke-free." There is no difference in our positions about smoking and its impact on people and the environment. Our differences are only on how to achieve our common goal. I find it very impractical and unfair to pass a law that would totally ban smoking without providing a designated smoking area in places such as: o Parks where overnight camping is allowed, for example: o Mahukona Beach Park o Isaac Hale Memorial Park at Pohoiki o Whittington Beach Park o Miloli`i Beach Park o Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park o Kolekole Gulch Park o Parks that encompass wide open spaces, for example: o Hilo Bayfront Beach and Soccerfields o Lili`uokalani Gardens o All of the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium complex, including the parking area; o All of the Old Kona Airport Park, including the parking area; o The Hilo Drag Strip, including the parking area. o Honoka`a and Honaunau Rodeo Arenas The suggestion I would like to put before you is to consider control on an individual facility basis as has been done at Kahalu`u Beach Park. For example, smoking could be prohibited at parks specifically designed for children such as the playground at Lincoln Park, Anuenue Playground in Waimea, and Higashihara Park in Kona. Also, some relatively small parks that are heavily used and have a high concentration of people in a small space such as Richardson