HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.210 2002-2004 Written Testimony: County Bill 260, 1 of 3
July 1, 2003
TO: Council Chairman James Y. Arakaki and Members of the Hawaii County Council
FR: Trade Yoshimoto
RE: WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 260 DRAFT 6
Relating To Smoking In Certain Places In The County Of Hawaii
Wednesday, July 2, 2003; 9:00 a.m.
My name is Tracie Yoshimoto, and I strongly support Bill 260, without exemptions.
I am a life-long resident of the Big Island, and a fourth generation resident of Pahoa. I am
the wife of a Hilo-boy, and the mother of two young sons. I represent the typical Big
Island resident and the silent majority. I am also the East Hawaii Coordinator for the
Hawaii Island Tobacco-Free Partnership. Because of this, I have the opportunity to give
voice to that silent majority.
I'd like to thank the Council for all your hard work and consideration in crafring and
pushing Forward the most comprehensive bill in the state thus far. I ask that you continue
to prove that you care about the health of all workers and vote to pass this bill without
exemptions.
Very recently, two of my Partner members and I visited twelve bars in the Hilo area. We
passed along information about how going smoke-free works for businesses (attached)
and some studies relating to the economics of going smoke-free (submitted previously).
We had an opportunity to speak with several of the bar owners and workers regarding
Bill 260. There is clearly some pressure among workers and some bar owners to not show
public support for the ordinance.
One bar owner said that they really want this bill to pass to include bars, because they are
really trying to quit smoking, and knows that working in a smoke-free environment will
help. As it is right now, the smoke-filled environment makes it very difficult for this bar
owner to quit. The bar owner anticipates that there would be some economic impact, but
knows that customers would return and adjust to having to go outside to smoke. This
particular bar owner also does not want to publicly support this bill because of "peer" and
customer pressure. I did get permission to share this information with the council but the
owner was very adamant that I not disc?ose his or her name or business.
In another bar, a female worker, non-smoker, said that she can't wait until her bar is
smoke-free.
We know how powerful it would have been to have a bar manager, bartender or waitress
testify in support and talk about their own personal experiences, but unfortunately, they
don't have the choice to, for fear of retribution. They need their jobs and don't want to/j
Comm. No. ~7 ~ O . I
Ref. 70: G
Ref. Uote
Written Testimony: County Bill 260, 2 of 3
risk losing it if they show public support for this bill.
One of the bartenders that I spoke about in previous testimony was again approached to
testify today, because in speaking with her, she was so happy when her workplace went
smoke-free. She's a college student and was willing to testify, but didn't want to unless
she got the okay from her boss and the same was for a waitress at the same bar who was
told not to testify.
It was also surprising to hear that some bar owners and even a patron told us that second
hand smoke is not proven to be harmful. There is a misconception that second hand
smoke doesn't cause cancer or emphysema or heart disease. This complacency or
ignorance is another source of why there is resistance to going smoke-free. Why should a
business go smoke-free if it doesn't really harm anyone?
So please don't think that just because someone "chooses" to work in a bar that they
"choose" or don't mind breathing in second hand smoke, because they do mind. They just
can't say that they do because they think they may loose their jobs. Just because some
people don't know about harm that second hand smoke causes, that doesn't mean we
should not protect them from contracting or dying of lung cancer, neck cancer, breast
cancer, emphysema, COPD, heart disease, asthma, bronchitis, etc.
This ordinance must apply to all workplaces to ensure a level plavine field where no
business has to compete based on whether or not they allow smoking. In visiting Steven
Hironaka of Nihon Restaurant, which has a baz, he expressed that he was against the bill.
However, he anticipates its passage and emphasized the law must be applied to all
businesses including bars. Nihon's bar would be considered part of the restaurant and
would be at a "disadvantage" (or as we'd like to think and advantage) if a customer were
decide if he or she should go to smoke-free Nihon or nearby Mina's where smoking is
permitted.
As a member of the community I am very concerned that the Mayor and some members
of the council would consider exempting bars from this pending ordinance. This is about
health and saving the lives of all workers. ALL workers and patrons deserve protection
against the devastating effects of second hand smoke.
Again, I remind you, for every eight smokers that die, there is one non-smoker that goes
with them. Why should anyone have to smoke involuntarily? Even if a person chooses to
smoke, it doesn't mean it's okay for them to be exposed to second hand smoke at work.
This is a public health issue and therefore it is not up to a business owner to decide
what the policy should be. Businesses have a responsibility to provide a safe
environment for their workers and patrons. Public health regulations are created to
make sure they do that.
One day, my sons may have to work in a bar to pay for tuition or to make ends meet they
should not have to choose between a paycheck or their health. I ask you to think of our
keiki and our future and DO THE RIGHT THING.
Written Testimony County Bill 260, 3 ot3
Mahalo in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
/~rasie Yo 0
P.O. Box 2265
Pahoa, Hawaii 96778
Ph: (808)965-0663
Fax: (808)965-0556
C-ph: (808) 896-1670
Email: traciey@hawaii.rr.com
Going Smoke-Free Makes Good Business Sense
The Hawaii County Council is currently considering a bill (introduced in September 2002) to amend Chapter
14, Article 4 of the County Code that prohibits smoking in certain places. If passed as currently drafred, all
workplaces in Hawaii Cotmty will become smoke free six months after the bill passes. We would like you to
know about many of the benefits to your employees and your business in becoming smoke free.
• No adverse effect on business. Smoke-free More productive workers. Secondhand smoke
policies do notnegatively affect business, and harms the health and reduces the productivity of
sometimes boost it, according to studies that use ?onsmokers. Esthnated costs associated with
sales tax data and sound research methods. secondhand smoke's effects on nonsmokers
range from S56 to $490 per smoker per year.
• Employees support smoke-free policies. In (Kristein, "How Much Can Business Expect to
-'311Q0;'theatiieunfbfempioyeeswhothought Profit From Smoking Cessation°' Preventive
-thatsmiikingshodldubtbeallowedinindoor Medicine, 1983;1'':338-381)
watklilaces:rattgeikfrom 66.4°o in Wisconsin
to $3»^B°,(u an DG. {CDC, Morbidity and Marta]- Healthier workers. By removing secondhand
ity Weekly -R,q~ort 50(49): 1101-1106, Decem- smoke from the workplace, many employees'
bet 14, 2~b~tcsmokcrs accept smoke- health will improve. Additionally- smokors will
free poli+CVes and 70%want to quit smoking smoke fewer cigarettes helping to improve their
(Nationalri~aiicer Institutel. health. A stud}~ investigated the effects of
smoke-free workplaces and found that there was
• Redacedmainteu~pee,~osts.Ftm»tutelastis incfeased cessation and decreased cunsumption
a
longer and buml~ar~%voided in tablecloths, corresponding to a 29"~ relative reduction in
catPets~Jg~i ~ a ~,co ' a ~ ~ceihngs, tobacco use. (Fichtcnbetg. CM.; Glantz, SA.,
walls m ~ ellowed "Effect of smoke-free workplaces on smoking
.y w
by ° ,ol ~ behavior systemauc tevtew; Binish Mc'dre'ul
2000 r„~ .lourna[325:118-191, July _7.21103.)
smoktn~
nance costs. (Swart, "An Overlooked Cost of keduced liability. As a business owner. if you
Employee Smoking" Perso*_meh Augttst 1990.) subject your employees to dangerous situations,
}ou may be liable if they develop diseases or
• Eliminates discomfort 59?°ib ofnonsmoking injuries. Workers exposed to secondhand smoke
employees report suffering discomfort, and even on the job are 34% more rely to get lung
1 ~°~o of smoking employees report some discom- cancer. (Fontham, et al. Cancer Epidemiology,
fort from secondhand smoke. (CllC, Morbidity Biomarkers and Prevention, 1991; 135: 35-43.)
and Mortality Weekly Report, Map 22, 1992.)
• Less workplace deaths. 1n 2002, the Interna-
• Reduced insurance costs. Many insurance ttonal Labor Organization (ILO) reported that
companies offer lower rates for smoke-free cancer was the largest killer in the workplace
businesses because of healthier employees with approximately 640,000 workplace-related
and reduced fire risk. The National Firc deaths per year globally. ILO stated that
Protection Association found that in 199X secondhand smoke in the workplace is esti-
smoking materials caused 8,700 fires in non- mated to cause 2 8 percent of all workplace
residential structures resulting in I' deaths, cancer. (Reuters. May 34, 2002.1
163 injuries, and a direct property damage of
$60.~ million. (Hall, Jr., .l.R., "The U.S. >nf°`°'a`i°° e`°s°°"d ny
Smokin -Material Fire Problem,"'National Coalition for a Tohacc° Free I lawai'i
g Hewai'i Island Tobacco-Free Fartnershtp
Fire Protection Association, Fire Analysis nmedcan Cancers°cien_ [;ast m,a west Hawari c,ms
' Hawm i Departmem of Health
and Research Division, April 2001.)
sde t or^
Smoke-Free Workplace Law Being Considered
by ~Iawai`i County Council
The Hawaii County Council is currently considering a bill that expands the County Code prohibiting smok-
ing in certain areas to include all workplaces. The Hawaii County Council Commitee on Human Services
and Economic Development voted to pass the bill on May 6, 2003. The Council is expected to hear the bill at
the full council meetings on June 18th in Kona and July 2nd in Hilo. If passed as currently drafted, all
business establishments in Hawaii County will become smoke free six months after the bill passes.
Why are smoke-free workplaces important:'
The evidence continues to grow -there is now no
doubt that exposure to secondhand smoke is a 2 De~ , qtr ~ , support.`forlhe-policy from
all les+e
health hazard and causes lift-threatening illnesses.
u ,
• Over 53,000 deaths each year in the U.S. are 3 store all+etnployeesatieaware of and under-
attributed directly to secondhand smoke exposwe. stand the.reasonst#'o%thenewpolity. Staffmeetings,
newsletters;''i:mails;'orporyroll staffers are good ways
• Recent smdies clearly demonstrate the negative of infouningall employees about.the-policy.
effect of secondhand smoke on heart and 'x'
f-=•.
respiratory functions in healthy adults. 4. Discuss withyout enipldyees whets they can
-smoke outside ofyout'business. Provide containers
• Other studies have shown how secondhand for~discacded cigarettes`~nthe designated area..,,
i~
smoke triggers asthma attacks and contributes ' ` ~
to respiratory infections. S Post signs designating yow workplace asmsmoke-
free. Post information about the new policy and why
What is the definition of a business in the bill? going smoke free is good for yow business on
Any sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, bulletin boazds and in prominent locations.
corporation, or other business entity formed for
profit-malting purposes, including retail establish- 6. Remove all ashtrays from [he workplace.
menu, professional corporations and other entities 7, Support smokers who want to quit by providing
where legal, medical, dental, engineering architec- information on smoking cessation programs
tural, or other professional services arc delivered. available on the Big Island.
What about restaurants and bars? 8. Talk with yow customers about the new policy and
Restaurants and bars are workplaces, and as let them know yow workplace is going smoke free.
currently drafted, will also become smoke free.
Restaurant and bar staff people are often exposed If You Have More Quesrions
to higher levels of secondhand smoke than in Call the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii
many other workplaces, and deserve the same toll-free at 1-888-227-7107 ext. 117. We can also
workplace protection as all others. provide you with a sample smoke-free policy.
Your Workplace:Can Become Smoke Free Now- How to Get Involved in Passage of the Bill
Here Are Some Suggestions In you would like to become involved in supporting
1. You do not need-to wait for the passage of the the passage of the bill, please contact ow Neighbor
smoke-free workplace law to go smoke free. Yotu Island Coordinators -East Hawaii: Trade
business can establish;a policy designating your Yoshimoto, 808-896-] 670 or West Hawaii: Chris
workplace as smokesfree, Contact the Coalition for Dein-Gaughen, 808-938-6622. They can provide
a Tobacco Free Hawaii if
you would like ex- you with more information on the importance of
amples of workplace policies or-would like assis- smoke-free workplaces, up-to-date information on
ranee in developing a policy. the bill, and sample letters and testimony.
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