HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.054 2002-2004 i-C.tIV CD
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^me-. ~-~,•~o C,.,r~. e',.--_._~'^--__,-... AMERICAN
Oahu !j ~~-I-O~J----------^-~~' LUNG
S~~'OKOukui Street ~n~ ~ncil ASSOCIATION®
Honolulu, HI 968173999 Of Howell
Fax: (808) 537-5971
Phone: (808) 537-5966
Kauai Dr. Fred Holschuh, Chair of Human Services & Economic
2992 Umi Street Development Committee
Lihue, HI 96766 Hawaii Counh~ Council Bill 260, Draft 2
Fax: (808) 245-8488 •7
Phone: (aoe> zas-a,az Relating to Smoke-Free Indoor Workplaces
Maui Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 6, 2003
95 Mahalani Street Human Services and Economic Development
Wailuku, HI 96793 Coun~v Council Chambers, 2"d Floor of the County Bldg. in Hilo
Fax: (808) 242-9041 •7
Phone: (808) 2445110 1:30 p.m.
Hawaii
39 Ululani Street The American Lung Association of Hawaii appreciates the opportuni
Fax (8089 3 5--7 474 to submit written testimony on the benefits of Bill 260, Draft 2, whichty
Phone: (808) 935-1206 offers protection for workers and customers from the effects of
environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
Website:
www ale-hawaii ora
The American Lung Association of Hawaii hopes no exemptions are
E-mail' made to this bill, since exem lions do not rotect the workers and
IunaCadala-hawaii ora P P
patrons and make enforcement far more difficult.
Society is changing quickly. We know that tobacco smoke causes
terrible disease, including lung cancer, respiratory illnesses, heart
disease, and asthma. Nobody should have to breathe tobacco smoke
to hold a job, and that's the main reason for smokefree workplace
legislation.
My friend Fred Volgelkesang was a nonsmoker whose family history
did not include lung disease. I recall Fred mentioning how his partner
would puff away on his cigarette throughout the day regardless of
Fred's complaints. Years later Fred was diagnosed with lung cancer
and on February 12, 2003, Fred passed away, leaving his family (a
daughter, son, and wife), business, and many friends.
The American Lung Association of Hawaii would like to see workers
like Fred protected and this bill provides the protection for workers.
Secondhand smoke harms the health and reduces the productivity of
nonsmokers. Smoking-caused productivity losses and annual health
When You Can't care costs in Hawaii amount to $525 million a year (Campaign for
Breathe, Tobacco Free Kids, 2002). Business owners are often held liable if
Nothin ®Else their employees develop diseases or injuries. And workers exposed to
Matters secondhand smoke on the job are 34% more likely to get lung cancer
(Fontham, et al. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention,
Founded in 7904, the 1991;135: 35 - 45).
American Lung Association
includes alflliated
associations throughout I
the U.S., and a medical CST.
section, the American
Thoracic Society Ref. TO:h~~
Ref. Date
The public should have protection from the dangers of ETS when in
public buildings, including restaurants and bars (indoors and outdoors),
and the bowling alleys covered by the bill. The Big Island has nearly
15,839 people who have lung cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis,
and/or asthma and ETS has negative effects when exposed. ETS is
not only dangerous to everyone's health, but also simply a nuisance to
many nonsmokers and even smokers, due to the eye and nose
irritation and the strong fumes and smell due mainly to tar.
This bill treats all workers' health (including bar, restaurant, and
bowling alley workers) equally. ALL workers will have a safe, healthy,
smokefree workplace. NO workers will be discriminated against by
having to breathe tobacco smoke at work. "Smokers are still welcome
everywhere. It's just the smoke that's not" (as Joseph W. Cherner,
President, SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc., put it in a story on
the state of Connecticut going totally smokefree).
Thank you for allowing the American Lung Association of Hawaii to
provide written testimony on the benefits of Bill 270, Draft 2. If you
need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)
537-5966 x305 or a-mail me at xtobacco@ala-hawaii.org.
Sincerely,
Debbie Odo
Director of Tobacco Control