HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.058 2002-2004
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Blake Kutisu ~
American Cancer Society Board Member
Student Government President
Waiakea High School
155 W. Kawili St.
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 974-4888
Committee Chair, Fred C. Holschuh, MD & Committee Members
~,upunl Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Bill Number 260: Relating to smoke-free indoor workplaces
Hearing Date: May 6, 2003
Human Services and Economic Development Committee
Dear Chairperson Holschuh and Committee Members,
My name is Blake Kurisu. I strongly support Bill 260 and ask that the County Council
pass this bill.
Second hand smoke is a major health hazazd. It is estimated that second hand smoke may
be responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmoking adults and an additional
35,000 cases of heart disease in nonsmokers each year. My fellow members of the Class
of 2003 and I will be entering the workforce within several years. I strongly feel that
each and every worker deserves to be protected from such workplace hazards as second
hand smoke. There aze many important legal precautions to ensure workplace safety; it is
foolish to allow second hand smoke to remain a dangerous exception to this standard.
I also do not feel that a workplace smoking ban would negatively affect business. I have
nasal allergies, which are triggered by cigarette smoke. Even when sitting in the ~I
nonsmoking section of a restaurant that allows smoking, I am often bothered by the
drifting smoke f»mes. Food does not taste good when I experience the nasal congestion
and sneezing that occurs. Therefore, a restaurant's air quality affects my overall
satisfaction with a restaurant. I am more apt to choose a restaurant with fresh-smelling
air, than one with air tinged with smoke. 'there is evidence from California,
Massachusetts, and most recently, Oahu, which attest to this assertion that making
restaurants smoke-free does not negatively affect businesses.
For these reasons, I urge you to make workplaces safer and restaurants more pleasant by
passing Bill 260 to take the noxious hazard of second hand smoke out of all indoor
workplaces.
Comm. No. ~3•Sa
Ref. To~M~'~
Ref. Dote
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Fax Message
Send To:
Committee Chair, Fred C. Holschuh, MD & Committee Members
Human Services and Economic Development Comrittee
Re: Bi11260- Relating to smokefree indoor workplaces
Hearing Date: May 6, 2003
Fax: (808) 961-8912
From:
Blake Kurisu, American Cancer Society Boazd Member
C/O Waiakea High School
Fax: (808)974-4880
Home Phone: (808) 959-8144
Number of Pages (Including Cover Page): 2
Written testimony in support of Hawaii County Council Bill 260