HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0593.060 2022-2024 p/Coulici l
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From: Destin Martines
Sent: Wednesday,January 10, 2024 11:04 AM COUNTY CLERK
To: Council Testimony COUNTY OF HAWAI'I
Subject: Testimony RECEIVED
Time I I:04 a.rn. %y
Date JAN 1 0 'ZO2
I, Destin Martines strongly support Bill 102 to end flavored tobacco products on our island.
I have lost multiple family members from smoking and vaping and they said they'll quit but sadly they
never did and flavored tobacco got the best of them. My own dad and grandma used to smoke and was
addicted but they actually got to quit when they saw what I was doing in this association they said they
were thankful for having a son like me. They said if I didn't do this they would continue smoking and
probably wouldn't see them in my later years of life. One of my uncles that is a double smoker is also
trying to quit because of what I'm doing too. I saw him at a basketball game and he came up to me and
said "I'm sorry for smoking Destin, I tried and still trying to quit but I don't know if I can, at this point you
guys should just ban these things from me" I told him "It's okay, don't be hard on yourself".
Then I realized that we shouldn't be punishing people that smokes and doesn't quit, but to encourage
them to quit.That's what I see in this Bill, it's to help the youth and adults that is stuck in the hands of
addiction. Not to be angry at students who gets caught with a vape but encourage them to quit and help
them. Not to bash down on adults saying they are a bad impression on kids but to help them get out of
that hole they are in.
My members of the Hawai'i Island Youth Academy and I are now looking to you to help us the youth, and
help the adults that are caught in the traps of Big Tobacco that are trying to quit smoking Mahalo.
Comm. No. 11.
Ref. To: �(IP(I1!1
1 Ref. Date JAN 1 0 2024