COM 0942.145 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 15, 2008 TO: Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann & Council Members Hawaii County Council FR: Juan Moncada, Chairman, Tobacco-Free Big Island 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 While Mayor Kim has vetoed Bill 224 that banned smoking at County Parks and Beaches, he has agreed with the Council's facts. Unfortunately, his suggestions that we continue to model smoking behaviors at County facilities is inconsistent with the facts and the level of health crisis we face. Every year tobacco companies spend an estimated $42.2 million marketing their products in Hawaii and 1,460 adults die each year in Hawaii from tobacco use and second-hand smoke. Annual health care costs in Hawaii directly caused by smoking are $336 million, with additional lost productivity totaling $308 million. Scientists have tested the toxicity of outdoor tobacco smoke and have concluded that it can be as harmful as indoor second-hand smoke, especially for asthmatic children and adults, those suffering from COPD, emphysema, and mitigating heart conditions. Equal access to public parks and facilities for people with these conditions merited this Bill's passage. Second-hand smoke is a Class-A carcinogen, (same as asbestos) known to cause cancer. There are no safe levels of exposure. Mayor Kim advised Volcano-area residents the day of the veto to evacuate their homes and take precautions against breathing the dangerous SO2 emissions. Doctor E. Tam, professor and Chairwoman, Department of Medicine at John E. Burns School of Medicine, warned tobacco fumes with over 3000 chemicals are far worse. Bill 224 would help reduce exposure to man-made Class-A carcinogens to improve air quality for all residents, especially the most vulnerable. Clean air is everyone's right, and the right thing for governments to do -protect the health of all the community. The Mayor's proposal of designated smoking parks, beaches, campgrounds and/or parking lots would continue to deny equal access and the protection of the public's health. It would also send the wrong message to our youth that smoking is sanctioned, acceptable, safe, and appropriate social behavior for them to emulate. The Mayor's veto proposal to the Council is a total disconnect to his health care crisis priority. We urge the Hawaii County Council to reject Mayor Kim's advice of County sponsorship and promotion of smoking in public parks and beaches and to enact Bill 224 in its original form. We can and should reduce our own man-made hazards in public places and have a healthier, safer and cleaner island for all to enjoy. Sincerely, Juan Moncada, Chairman Tobacco-Free Big Island