COM 0942.144 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 15, 2008 TO: Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann & Council Members Hawaii County Council FR: Caroline M. Teruya, Hawaii County Facilitator, Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Coalition RE: WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 224 (in its current form) Relating To Smoking in Certain Places in the County of Hawaii Motion to Reconsider and Override Veto, Public Hearing Tuesday, April 22, 2008 My name is Caroline M. Teruya from the Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition. I applaud you for showing true leadership and vision in passing Bill 224. 1 strongly urge you continue to show your leadership and override Mayor Kim's veto. The veto of this Bill is inconsistent with previous statements and budget priorities relating to health care made by County Administration. By vetoing Bill 224, Mayor Kim is perpetuating the health care crisis we are facing today. I believe that smoking and second hand smoke is detrimental not only to the individual smoker but also the general public. As the Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition Facilitator for Hawaii County, I give my full support for this bill. A smoke free environment promotes greater health and safety for all who wish to exercise, engage in recreation and simply enjoy our breath taking beaches and community building parks and recreational facilities. Too many people have suffered from lung cancer and related complications with the use of tobacco. I personally have watched a friend's body transform from strong and vibrant to weak and frail. He smoked so many cigarettes as a young person knowing the dangers of tobacco, but now, many years later, he has paid the price for his choice of being a chronic smoker. Unfortunately he developed cancer in his lymphnodes which he was told was related to his tobacco use. So he underwent repeated treatments of radiation and chemotherapy. The treatments itself almost killed him since he could hardly eat at one point. His liver functions have been severely compromised among other body functions that are no longer normal. Anyone who meets him can clearly see that he is sick since it looks like his face and body have been literally cooked in a microwave. He wishes to get off of welfare and continues to seek employment, but I doubt that an employer would want to hire him due to his ongoing medical expenses. He hangs on to hope and life with the intermittent encouragement from friends, but his own dysfunctional family fails to support him in his greatest hour of need. He regrets the chance to have had children, to have a full time job and to simply live a normal healthy life without fear of cancer which may return at anytime. The reality for him is that he will probably live the rest of his days in poverty, regret and poor health. It is true that smoking is a personal choice. However please understand that the people who choose to smoke are addicted to the very substance that may or will eventually kill them. I have a family member that continues to smoke after being warned by family and friends. I already know that my words of warning will not change their behavior and they may never stop smoking. I am emotionally preparing myself to visit this person in the hospital in the future as they receive some sort of medical treatment that may not save their life. I have not been able to persuade this family member, but I believe that I can prevent other people from smoking and help smokers quit by supporting these types of initiatives. It may be difficult to enforce the law(s) resulting from this bill. However by not supporting this bill you will be allowing and approving the continued suffering in the community and the increasing costs to our struggling healthcare system if you do not take action right now. I have faith that the law will make a clear statement to our society and has the power to positively change and