HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0746.009 2000-2002 ~~ROP7'.It1~IS?
I1VT~~"1'®1~IA~
O~°~®1~TA
P.O. Box 5196
Kailu~-Kona. HI 96745-5196
URL: ~~~~~,S~r~
TESTIl1~®1011' IIOT SUPPtI1lI'T OF ®V:~I'I COU10iCII. ~II.L 2641
Soroptimist International of Kona supports .Bill 260, An ®rdinance Amending Chapter 14 (General
Welfare) of the h'awai'i County Code 1983 (1995) Edition, as Amended, iZelating to Smoking in
Certain Places in the County of Flawaii.
A large number of Ar~rrericans are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke at work and at home.
In 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a risk assessment, "Iaespiratory Health
Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer and Other Disorders," that classified environmental tobacco
smoke as a Group A carcinogen known to cause cancer in humans. The 1997 California
Environmental Protection Agency report "Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental 'Tobacco
Smoke," confirmed the U. S. EPA's finding that environmental tobacco smoke is a health risk for
children and adults. Children are especially powerless to control their exposure to environmental
tobacco smoke and yet they are the group most adversely affected by it.
The most comprehensive and effective Clean Indoor Air laws have been enacted at the local level.
Over 300 cornrrrunities across the country have enacted smoke-free ordinances, including 137
communities that have banned smoking in all workplaces including restaurants.
The name Soroptimist is coined from two Latin words and means "the best for women." Tobacco
products are the leading cause of premature, preventable deaths among women. Based on these and
other facts,. Soroptimist International of Kona supports the intent of Bill 260.
respectfully ~ulsmitted on bel~~lf of Soroptir~iist International of Kona by the Corrrrrrittee on Health
Chairperson, Lauri B~iliz~.ger, on Se~tdmber 2002;
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