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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.065 2002-2004 FROM TRRCIE Y. FRX FJO. 808 965 0556 May. OS 2003 05:05PM PS Writ~en Testimony: Comity Bill 260 Thufl 2, pg. 1 of 3 May 5, 2003 T0: Councihnember Fred C. Holschuh, M.D., Chairman And Members of the Human Services & Economic Development Committee FR Tracie Yoahimoto, East Hawaii Coordinator Hawaf i Island Tobacco-Fret Partnership RE: WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 260 DRAFC 2 Relating To Smoking In Certain Places Ira The County Of Hawai' i Tuesday, May 6, 2003, 1:30 p.m. Hawaii County Council Chambers, Hilo My name is Tracie Yoshimoto, coordinator for the newly formed Hawai i Island Tobacco-Free Partnership, East Hawaii Unit and we strongly support Bill 260 without exemptions, which would effectively prohibit smoking in all workplaces, recognizing the importance of providing a safe working environment for all employees. The Hawaii Island Tobacco-Free Partnership, East Hawaii Unit currently has thirty-one (31) member partners, and is made up of community organizations and individuals who are committed to collaboratively reducing tobacco use and exposure in East Hawaz i. While those who smoke argue they have the "right" to do so, all workers have the tight to breathe eleau air. ALL workers, without exception, deserve protection from second-hand smoke, including those of restaurants and especially those of bars and nightclubs. Due to the nature of my job, I hear from a lot of people who have had to endure breathing in second-hand smoke because of where they work or where they patronize. A University of Hawai' i at Hilo nursing student recently told me that he worked in a nightclub where he was a D7. The second-hand smoke he had to endure during his shift nauseating and at times unbearable. A bartender at Cronies in Hilo who is also a college student, said that she could not wait until May first when her workplace would be smoke-free. She would have to set up an electric fan in the bar area to blow flat smoke away from her. When she got home after her shift, her dothos and hair reeked of cigarette smoke and she would often cough because ofthe constant stream of second-hand smoke she had to inhale during her shifr. A young professional female in Hilo expressed that she goes to the local bars with her girlfriends, but hates having to breathe iu cigazette smoke and oftrn times avoids these places because of it. She said she'd go more often to bars if they were smoke-free. A mother in Hilo refuses to let her husband take their two young children to the Hilo bowling alley because of the smoke-filled air and doesn't want her children breathing in the toxins. This family is unable to watch their father bowl and share in this sport as a Comm. No. Ref. T~~~ Ref. Date MAY 62003 FROM TRRCIE Y. FRX N0. 808 965 0556 May. 05 2003 05:06PM P2 Written Testimtmy: County Bi11260Ihnfr 2. pg. 2 of 3 family due to second-hand smoke. Certain business owners, particulazly those of restaurants and bars have fears that by not allowing patrons to smoke in their establishments, business will decline. In fact, studies and historical data have proven it is just that.... a fear. A recent article in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald made reference to some of that fear when it referenced a letter sent in by the Hawaz i Restaurant Association president. However, the study that was mentioned in the letter and article came out of California Polytechnic State University and was funded and authored by the tobacco industry's Phillip-Morris. Smoking needs to he eliminated from all workplaces to ensure a level playjlag field where no business has to compete based on whether they allow smoking or not. If this bill is passed without exemptions, businesses may see patrons who become more loyal, customers may patronize them more often, they may see that operations run smoother and overhead is reduced because of going smoke-free, resulting in increased profits. Don's Grill in Hilo, which went smoke free in January 2003, has had many compliments from their workers and patrons and is very pleased with how it has improved their operations. Kona Brewing Company went smoke-free a couple of months ago and has indoor and outdoor smoke-free soaring. They have had only positive things to say about their transition to becoming asmoke-free establishment. Most recently, Cronies (a popular nightspot) in Hilo went smoke-free on May 1", and when I spoke to the manager today to see what responses they had over the weekend, he said they've received a lot of positive comments and no major complaints from patrons. In addition to my professional role in tobacco control, I am the mother of two asthmatic young children and a fourth generation resident of Pahoa. It is disgusting to have walk through and breathe in cigarette smoke as we enter and exit "smoke-free" establiahments such as the shopping mall or grocery store. i literally have my six-year old son hold his breath as we pass through the covered entrance of the mall, as mall employees and patrons sit on benches or stand near the doorway puffing away. This bill will address this issue for many non-smokers who feel the same way. I would like to make a suggestion in changing the language in section 1421(a)(13), as the intent of this item is to prevent tobacco smoke from the exterior of a building from drifting into the interior through doorways, windows, ventilation systems, or any other fresh air intake. The current language does not take into account areas of a building where there may be a solid wall where tobacco smoke would not be able to drift into a building. Section 14-21(a)(] 3) $mokine is prohibited within a reasonable di ranee but not 1 cc h om au e e 't o fr sh air intake of an enclosed where smoking_is_prohibited to ins re ha+ mbacco smoke doe not e~*er th enclocP~ area thrgyYh entrances 'ndow ventilation svstems or other means Also a technical error needs to be corrected in section 1423(d), as the reference to fines FROM TRRCIE Y. FqX N0. 808 965 0556 May. 05 2003 05:06PM P3 WrillCn Testimony: County Bill 260 llraft 2. P8, 3 of 3 and penalty violations regarding posting of signs currently refers to Section 14-23(b). It should be corrected to roference Section 14-24(bl and/or U. Oux partner members aze very supportive of this bill and the message the county government sends to its citizens and its visitors, that we care about the health of all people no matter where they aze employed or where they patronize. Our county has the opportunity to take the lead in passing the most comprehensive smoke-free workplace bill in the state. If passed without exemptions, we can proudly say that the Big Island is truly a place for healthy living. Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Please contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Tracie Yoshrmotq East Hawai' i Coordinator Hawaii Island Tobacco-Free Partnership Box 2265 Pahoa, Hawaii 96778 Ph: (808)965-0663 Fax: (808) 965-0556 C-ph:(808) 896-1670 Email: traciey@hawaii.rr.com