HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0746.040 2000-2002P.O. Box 2004, Hoaokaa, Hawaii 96727, (808) 775-804
TO: Councilmembers Nancy Pisicchio, Chair; and Julie Jacobson, Vice -Chair, Hunw
Services and Econonsic Development Committee, Hawaii County Council
FROM: Fred C. ITolschuh, M.D.
DATE: October 8, 2002, Public Hearing
SUBJECT: Bili 260, "Relating to Smoking in Certain Places in Hawaii County"
Chair Pisicchio, Vice -Chair Jacobson and members:
Thank you for t '. r :g = to subn-A :.• + .;:rr.:► i , ;n strong supportof B91 •
0, which wiT
expand areas where smking would not be allowed m Hawan County I am a nwmber of
n Gov=mgBoard of the, 8' ta.i t::r for k;:b. l Free Hawan,Ei the East
Hawaii coalition, as well as the advisory Board
However, e presenting this testimonyan individUaL
As a 30 -year emergency physician, I am an too fimiHar with the devastating and
i a ;nr; .: ; -F heakh effects of tobacco. use. r ;'.,.l ordirmw would be r nwasure to make
all w
r -
?.: '' 3i1:: 1.:3 }a:,.' :} {/` but I realize there are concerns by ow=s of bars s.3i,... being
smoke free.
Regarding smoke free restaurants, smoking in restaurants exposes two captive groups of
victims to second hand smoke: reset workers and children dining with their parents.
In response to clum that ordinwices requiring smoke free restaurants will adversely
a ect tourism and the economy, I would like to mention a scientiflestudy that was
discussed at a Ming in Honolulu by one of the authors, Anne Marie Charlesworth. As
reported in the Journal of the Ar rican ?Medical Association, May 26, 1933, nmny states
and cities m the United States that have enacted restaurant smoking bans were evaluated
for changes in revenges to restaurants. There were no decreases in restaurant patronage,
and in some cases, there were increases. In some individual establishments, as much as a
30% increase in restaurant revenue occurred. This included both internaflowl and
domestic tourism
I would hike to make some final points:
Bill 260, October 8, 2002, Public Hearing
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ironmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) is clearly a health hazard
no person should have to endure. This has never been about people's right to
smoke, but about the rights of non-smokers not to be exposed to smoke from
other people.
a Although the xM approach to ensure the best protection for people would be to
}I::. T: free starWing bus and nigbiclubs, in a smoke fi= workplace ordinance,
speaking personaft I would rather see smoke fi=- workplace protection pass no
witT out free standing bars and nightclubs, than have the bW not go forward.
R The onlyway we as a society will. ever get a handle on decreasing the numbers o
chften who be& smoking and start on the path to becoming enrJaved by
n1cotinc addiction, is to have responsille tobacco control begm with adult role
models. The parental non-smoking role model is the most powerful "demand
reduction7 tool in keeping children from tobacco use.
N Ffiud�;-, I want to make it very clear, that I have been working on Tobacco contr
issues, including the Honolulu smoke free restaurant ordinance for many years,
long before my candidacy for the Hawaii County Councfl began.
I applaud Councilmembers Leithead-Todd and Tyler for sponsoring this bill, and
Councftmbers Pisiccluo and Jacobson for holding the public hemings, and urge the
council to move the bill forward.
Respectfully submitted,
(,4-c- r-`_
Fred C. HoIschuh, M.D.