HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.212 2002-2004 July 1, 2003
"f O: Council Chairman James Y. Arakaki and Members of the Hawaii County Council
FR: Kcrri Okamura
RE: SUPPORT FOR BILL 260 DRAFTg (without exemptions)
Relating to Smoking in Certain Places in the County of Hawaii
My name is Kerri Okamura, and I am writing in support of Bill 260, Drafr 6 (protecting ALL
workers, without exemptions) -Relating to Smoking in Certain Places in the County of Hawaii.
Bi11260 Draft 6 is important to me for personal and professional reasons. I am a pharmacy
manager with one of our county's largest businesses. 1 see up close the pain and suffering of
those who suffer from chronic and terminal illnesses that may have been caused by second hand
smoke. Some of the patients who pick up their prescriptions suffer from asthma, emphysema,
bronchitis and cancer.
I worry for the workers of places like the bowling alley or bars and nightclubs. Workers may say
they don't mind breathing in the smoke. Some may even smoke themselves. Many times
workers do not complain because they need their primary or second or even third jobs to make
ends meet. They quietly continue to breathe in the cancer causing unfiltered smoke. AlI the
while, they could be developing cancer, emphysema, or other lung or respiratory illness.
I am also the mother of a young daughter, and wife of a frequent bowler. I worry about the
effects that the second hand smoke has on my husband whenever he goes for his weekly bowling
league matches. As a family, we have never enjoyed this sport together, as I refuse to subject my
daughter and myself to the noxious cigarette smoke. When my husband returns from his weekly
bowling league, he reeks of smoke! He is not allowed to sit on any of our furniture or come near
my daughter or me until he takes a shower. What a God awfiil smell!
Rill 260 must protect all workers, no matter where they work and it must protect all patrons no
matter where they patronize. To exclude one group from such protection is discrimination and
sends the message that as a bar worker, you're not worth saving, because your boss might lose
money. We are all losing money by not protecting all workers - in health care costs and lack of
social support for young children. We must provide the social support to reinforce to my
daughter and her friends that smoking is not okay for anyone. What message would it send to our
youth that smoking is prohibited except at bars'?
Do the right thing for your constituents and their health. Do not cater to only afew - do what's
best for all. Pass Bill 260 Draft 8 without exemptions.
Please accept this as written testimony in support of Bill 260, Draftg, and protect all workers
and patrons -including bars and nightclubs. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
tit--LL/ O(CeZ/2~~~/~
Kerri Okamura
344 Kipuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Ph: 961-0610 Canr~n. Ncj, . ~ '
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