HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.112 2002-2004
Jun-1T-63 13:55 From-S OF H DEPT HEA~TN +16D63224666 T-811 P 62/04 F-5a2
Submitted by:
Carrie Kuwada, Public Health Educator
P.O. Box 2508
Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750
Ph: 322-4880
Regarding: BILL 260 -RELATING TO SMOKING IN CERTAIN PUBLIC
PLACES IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII
Heanng Date: June 18, 2003
My name is Carrie Kuwada; I strongly support Bill 260 (draft #3) and ask that the County
Council pass this bill. I am a Public Health Educator in West Hawaii and work in the
area of chronic disease prevention. Smoking and its related forms such as second hand
smoking is the #1 preventable cause of premature death and disability in Hawaii and the
U.S. Unfortunately, knowledge and common sense do not always dictate wiae human
choices and behavior. Oftentimes it takes not only education, but a law in addition to
information/education to change the public's behavior for the better and for the good of
all concerned. A prime example of this is seen in the seatbelt issue. There was a time
when no matter how much education and information was presented to she public for
their safety and welfare to "buckle up", the public's behavior did not change much until
the seatbelt law went into effect. Similarly, it seems that once again, with the tobacco
issue, it will take education and legislation to protect the public's health.
1 believe that ALL workers have a right to a clean and healthy work environment. All
workers do not always have a choice, due to economics, as to where they work. This bill
will ensure that the health of these individuals are protected. I have a family member
who had contracted bladder cancer as the result of second hand amoke. He was a
nonsmoker who worked in a smoking worksite (before state buildings went smoke free).
His doctor attributed his bladder cancer to the years of exposure to second hand smoke.
I cannot understand the argument that businesses will lose revenue due to the passage of
this bill. First of all, statistics and testimonies of businesses that have gone smoke flee
staze otherwise. Also, with a 23% smoking rate in Hawaii Couaty, businesses can count
on 77% more patronage of their businesses by the majority of nonsmokers. There are
certain businesses (restaurants/bars) in West Hawaii, whose food I really like and enjoy,
but I will not patronize due to the smoke filled atmosphere. The very first time I walked
into one of the local restaurants in West Hawaii that had relocated to a new site, I
immediately walked out. I did not even want to be in there for the amount of dme to wait
for a takeout order. Unfortunately, though I miss their ono food, I will not patronize that
establishment nor any other where I cannot dine or enjoy the bar without breathing in
secondhand tobacco smoke. Having anon-smoking section in an establishment is a joke
with the analogy being that it is tike having a "peeing" section in a swimming pool. My
last cotrcem regarding the economics of businesses supporting tobacco use at the
worksite is: "Are businesses prepared to deal with the monetary ramifications (i.e.
lawsuit) in the evem of anon-smoking employce who contracts an illness such as cancer
or heart disease due to secondhand smoke exposure7" (see Canadian landmark case
mentioned in following article)
Comm. No. ~ • I
Ref. To:
Ref. Date
Jun-IT-03 13:56 From-S OF H DEPT HEALTH +16083224886 T-611 P 03/04 F-562
I believe that smokers have the prerogative to destroy their own health through the use of
tobacco products. Nonsmokers do not havc a choice when they have to be exposed to
secondhand smoke in a workplace situation due to that job being their livelihood. As a
nonsmoker, I also havc the right to eat and drink at whatever restaurant and bar that I
choose, without having to breathe in secondhand smoke. Do I, as well as all other non-
smokershave the choice of supporting our health taro system when smokers become
terminally ill or enter long»tetm health care, usually with a loss of income, due to
smoking related causes? Maybe we need to ensure that smokers alone bear the costs of
the health damages that they incur to themselves by choosing to smoke. The last fact that
l would like [o end this testimony with is that most smokers would like to quit. Studies
have shown that when thew worksites go smokefree, many smokers use the opportunity
to quit ottce and for all. For the health of our individuals, our businesses, and our
community, vote for Bi11 260, draft #3. Thank you very much.
Jun-IT-03 13:56 From-S OF H DEPT HEALTH +18063224886 T-611 P 04/04 f-562
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