HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0593.008 2022-2024 PiPaIEv✓
BILL (PI
COMM SOO
Chair Jenn Kagiwada,Vice Chair Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder and members of the Policy
Committee on Health, Safety and Well-being
I am writing in support of Bill 102 and I wanted to share why I decided to make a statement.
From what I've seen amongst my peers, I realized that many users use tobacco as a stress
reliever or the curiosity of trying one of the thousands of flavors and quickly become addicte
c-�
Recently during class a student was vaping and while the other students snickered, soon
enough, he got caught and was in trouble. Disrupting his and everyone else's education.
I've hung around individuals who've vaped. Of course,they never coerced me into doing it ban
wonder what the reason is that they would smoke. While flavored vapes didn't affect me, I am
sure that it affected individuals who made the decision to try it. Among the counties, Hawaii
County has the highest rate of teens who use electronic cigarettes. Approximately 21.5%.You
might think that it is a small percentage, but I assure you that it is a considerable amount. It is
greater than the state, which has 14.8%, and the United States, which has 18%.This can be
avoided. If we pass laws to end the sale of flavored tobacco products, it will stop many kids from
ever starting and from experiencing major severe health effects later. I acknowledge that it is
not easy but if we take this step now we can make a difference.As a student from Hilo, I believe
that passing this bill would be the best choice for our community.
Thank you for the chance to testify.
Roxan Barlam
Comm. N. 543. 0
Ref. To: 1
Ref. Dote_'1C° 0 5 202