HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0746.004 2000-2002
The American Heart
Association mission is:
To reduce disability and death
from cardiovascular diseases 4~
and stroke. ~.S3~fl~~lOl1~
Fighting H®art Disease and Stroke
Serving Hawaii
Testimony on Proposed Restaurant Smoking Restrictions
Tar .............................................(road pavement)
Acetone ......................................(nail polish remover)
Hydrogen Cyanide .....................(gas chamber poison)
Ammonia ....................................(Floor and toilet cleaner)
Methanol ....................................(rocket fuel)
Arsenic .......................................(rat poison)
Naphthalene . (mothballs)
Butane ........................................(cigarette lighter fluid)
Nicotine ......................................(Insecticide/addictive drug)
Cadmium ....................................(rechargeable battery)
Nitrobenzene ..............................(gasoline additive)
Carbon Monoxide .......................(car exhaust)
Nitrous Oxide Phenols ...............(disinfectant)
DDT/Dieldrin .............................(insecticides)
Toluene .......................................(industrial solvent)
Formaldehyde .............................(embalming fluid)
Vinyl Chloride ............................(used in making PCV)
Mercury .......................................(poisonous element)
Lead ............................................(poisonous material, banned in paints)
Hexamine ...................................(barbeque lighter)
Serving Hawaii since 1948
For information on the AHA's These chemicals represent only a small number of the 4,000 poisonous chemicals and
educational or research
programs, contact your carcinogens that are present in cigarette smoke. Knowing this, the question seems simple.
nearest AHA office, Why would we force a significant portion of our workforce to face workplace exposure to
or visit our web site at
www americanheart.org these toxins on a daily basis? Yet everyday, Hawaii County workers are exposed to high
or a-mail us at levels of this list of deadly ingredients.
hawaii@heart.org
oahu: One of government's primary roles is to protect the health and safety of its constituents.
245 N. Kukui Street, Ste. 204 Today's proposal to restrict smoking in workplaces presents Hawaii County legislators
Honolulu, HI 96817-3985
Phone: 808-538-7021 the opportunity to protect the health of workers on the Big Island.
Fax: 808-538-3443
Maul county: The American Heart Association-East and West Hawaii divisions support the intent of
J. Walter Cameron Center this bill, but suggests several amendments to clarify language and to strengthen the
95 Mahalani Street, No. 13 bill..The bill seems to have conflicting language on whether all workplaces will be
Wailuku, HI 96793-2598
Phone: sob-zaa-7165 required to be smoke-free, or whether the owner, operator, manager or persons
Fax: Boa-zaz-1a57 controlling an establishment can dictate smoking restrictions. The AHA of Hawaii
east Hawaii: strongly urges that all workplaces be required to restrict smoking.
400 Hualani Street, Ste. 15
Hilo, HI s67zo-a3aa ~ Section 14-22 "Exce tions", line 8 eliminates the lan ua e "An roe owned,
Phone: 808-961-2825 ~ p g g y p p
Fax: 808-961-2827 controlled, or leased by State or Federal government entities. The Hawaii Council does
west Hawaii: not have the authority to govern State or Federal entitites, so that line should remain in
74-5588 Pawai Place, Bidg. H the proposed legislation,
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-3140 a
sP
Phone: 808-329-0783 ' j:
Fax: 808-329-0784
;I~ ~,;s.
Kauai: iga
PO Bax 1214
Lihue, HI 96766-5214 "
Phone: 808-245-7311 ~ ~ ~
Fax: 808-245-7311 Please remember the American Heart Association in your will.
Section 14-22, "Posting of signs" eliminates the requirement for signs to have letters of
not less than one inch in height, To be consistent with other state counties' laws, that
requirement should remain in the legislation. That would also allow Hawaii County
businesses to use signage already created by community organizations and provided for
free to businesses to assist them in implementing the new law.
The experience in other communities across the country that have enacted similar
legislation has been that the public has generally complied to the laws, however the lack
of meaningful, clearly stated penalties only invites non-compliance. The AHA feels that
the penalties proposed in this legislation may not be strong enough to send a strong
message that this law is important, The AHA suggests that the penalty amounts be
increased.
As one of the leading proponents of health in our community, the AHA of Hawaii
commends the Hawaii Council for taking the initiative to pursue this important
legislation.I encourage you to support this measure with the suggested amendments and
to make Hawaii's workers' health a priority.
Sincerely submitted,
~
Marcella Stroh
Member of the Board of Directors
American Heart Association East Hawaii Division