HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0746.036 2000-2002 Oct-08-02 01:16pm From-S OF H DEPT OF HEALTH H1 L0 +18089330400 T-910 P.O1/Ol F-296
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BENJApINN J. CAV£4AN0 , LAWRENCE BIKE
GOVERNOR OF HAWAII DIRECTOR OF HEATH
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P,O. BOX 916
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96721-0916
October 8, 2002
Council Member Nancy Pisicchio
Chair, Human Services and Economic Development Committee
Council Member Julie Jacobson
Co-Chair, Human Services and Economic Development Committee
Dear Chair Pisicchio, Co-Chair Jacobson and County Council Members:
I am a staff of the Hawaii District Health Office and a member of the East Hawaii
Tobacco Free Coalition. I strongly support the protection from second hand smoke for
all workers and all workplaces, and especially support the passage of the Smoking In
Public Places 13i11(Bi11260). This is a very positive direction the Hawaii County Council
is moving towards in protecting the health of the public.
I would like to stress the following points:
• The evidence is very clear that exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) is a health
hazard, with an estimated 55,000+ people dying each year in the US as a direct
result of SHS.
• All workers should be protected from exposure from SHS in their workplace,
including restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
• Patrons and customers should also be protected -especially those with asthma or
other respiratory illness.
• Numerous studies have shown that businesses do not lose money as a result of
going smoke-free.
• The general public is in strong support of a bill that protects worker and
patron/client health from SHS.
The other Counties have also addressed similar concerns regarding smoking in public
places because the issue is about health and workplace protection.
Sinc ely,
7
ohn T. Kaizuka, MPH
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