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I felt that as a constituent in Dru Kanuhas' district being that I have <br /> a store in Kailua-Kona. I felt that I was ignored, I felt I was just <br /> not treated fairly due to the fact that you know I have a business <br /> that relies partly on the sale of electronic cigarettes. I have <br /> customers that rely on electronic cigarettes. The Legislation <br /> created hinders that freedom and ability to use electronic cigarettes <br /> in outdoor areas. People 18 to 20 that are hooked on cigarettes that <br /> use electronic cigarettes can no longer buy them here in Hilo. <br /> They can buy them online that's fine and that's part of the law. <br /> That's okay for them to buy them anywhere else, but not here. <br /> And I wanted to know why. I really wanted to just sit down and <br /> talk to Mr. Kanuha. See both side of the coin and say, hey this is <br /> our side of the story and, this is what we do with electronic <br /> cigarettes. This is how they work. Come to our stores and ask our <br /> customers. How does this benefit you guys? Is there any health <br /> benefits? What's the pros and cons of this product? I can tell you <br /> this. Based on the research from what I understand, which was <br /> greatly provided by Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawai`i and how <br /> bad E-Cigs are and how they're killing people and all this other <br /> stuff. There's no scientific proof. What researchers have they <br /> used, come to my store, test my products and show me that there's <br /> formaldehyde or anything else that these test are showing. None. <br /> What doctors and/or toxicologist have they talked to locally and <br /> you know got opinions on electronic cigarettes. None. I have a <br /> customer his name is Dr. Wald, he's right here on the Big Island. <br /> Kamuela. Michael Wald. He came into my shop in 2010 and he <br /> had about four E-cigarettes in his pocket, so why do you have <br /> some many E-cigarettes. I was a heavy smoker and you know <br /> what nothing in here causes cancer. At the time I didn't know <br /> much about E-cigarettes. I know they work and he told me well. <br /> So how do you know? I'm a toxicologist, my name is Dr. Wald <br /> nice to meet you. Ever since then, you know in 2011 when I got <br /> the call from my dad who said son I got some bad news for you. <br /> I'm on the mainland in a trade show. He says I got good and bad <br /> news. Good news I'm still alive and in one piece. Bad news is I <br /> have until the end of the year to live. I have until December and he <br /> passed away on January following that. Just from seeing <br /> everything that we do with customers and seeing how their lives <br /> have benefited from electronic cigarettes I just felt betrayed that <br /> this group here The Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawai`i. On the <br /> outside looks like a feel good group for the community that comes <br /> and helps people stop smoking and everything else. Looks good <br /> on the outside,the fact of the matter is they're partly funded by <br />