HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0746.066 2000-2002
Virginia Small
73-4338 Lipine Place
Kailua-Kona HI 96740
TESTIMONY FOR BILL 260 November 26, 200f
Good evening members of the Human Services and Economic Development Committee. I am
Virginia Small, president of the West Hawaii Tobacco Free Coalition and member of the Board
of Directors of the American Lung Association of Hawaii.
Let me state simply that "it is time". It is time to pass an ordinance to protect our workers and
our citizens from exposure to secondhand smoke. Reliable studies have shown that breathing
secondhand smoke is a cause of disease, including lung cancer, in healthy nonsmokers. At
special risk are our children, the elderly, individuals with cardiovascular disease, and
individuals with impaired respiratory function, including asthmatics.
It is time for a smoke-free ordinance that includes all restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to
especially protect the predominance of women workers in those establishments. Women
working in jobs which expose them to secondhand smoke have three times the risk of
developing lung cancer compared to women in a smoke-free workplace. My dear friend
Maureen Goldsmith died of obstructive airway disease at age 51. Her doctors told her the
cause was exposure to secondhand smoke. How many more wonderful people will get just such
a diagnosis before we do what is right?
It is time we are almost 10 years behind many other communities in passing similar
ordinances and the data is in. To be brief, without all the statistics which we could provide
later if you wish, I quote researcher Stanton Glantz, Ph.D., "Smoke-free restaurant ordinances
do not affect restaurant business. Period." And, regarding areas with international tourism,
such as or island, it was the conclusion of a 1999 Journal of the American Medical Association
article that "Smoke free ordinances do not appear to adversely affect, and may increase,
tourist business."
The West Hawaii Tobacco Free Coalition and the American Lung Association of Hawaii
appreciate your leadership in taking this positive position in addressing this critical public
health issue. Knowing your concern for your constituents, we anticipate a Hawaii ordinance
that leads the way for the health and protection of our Hawaii. It is time.
Thank you,
Virginia Small
President, West Hawaii Tobacco Free Coalition
Board Member, American Lung Association of Hawaii
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