HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.218 2002-2004 July 2, 2003
Honorab/e James Y. Arakaki
Chairperson
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hi/o, Hawaii 96720
RE.• Bi// 260- Related to Smoking in Certain P/aces
Chairman Arakaki and Council Members:
My name is Toni Symons and I am submitting my testimony in support of Bill
260, smoking in pub/ic places, inc/uding bars, restaurants, nightc/ubs and
bowling alleys.
I have been reading and listening to the dialogue from community members and
From our Mayor with regards to the bars being included in the ban and I am very
concerned. Why are we having this debate? Peop/e who work in bars deserve the
same protection from secondhand smoke as al/ workers do. Secondhand smoke
does NOT discriminate; it will eventually harm al/ people who are exposed to it
on a regular basis.
I recently spoke with a bartender who smoked for 30 years, he tried to quit
many times, and even after he was told he had a spot on his lung, he could not
do it. He said it was too difficult to quit with Peop/e smoking around him all the
time. He works in a restaurant/bar in Honolulu and said when the ordinance
passed he attempted to quit again, I am happy to say he was successful and has
been tobacco-free now for a year. He credits the smoking ban for saving his life.
I asked if he testified when the bill was being heard and he said that he would
not have felt comfortable for fear of /oong his job. Someone has to speak up For
these people, someone has to be responsib/e and I feel strong/y it has to be you,
our lawmakers.
All the evidence we now have show there is no economic impact on bars when
they go smoke free. I have been to many of the local bars in Kona, it's a great
way to see friends and unwind, my friends and I won't stay /ong if the place is
filled with smokers, but if the smoking is light, we will stay later and spend more
money. Mr. Kekaula's bar is well known in Kona and a great p/ace for pau ham's
because Mr. Kekaula has made it a great p/ace to be, I don't think Peop/e will
stop going because they can't smoke! I know that I would certain/y frequent it
more often if I knew people would smoke outside, as would many of my friends.
Comm. Nq,~~ J ~ `i v
Ref. To: ~~~!!y ~ I
Ref. Date
Instead of defeating this bi//, why can't we pass it as is and then in one year and
look at the impact on business? We will never know until we take a stand, I say
let us take the right road and protect everyone from this health hazard in Hawaii
County.
The day may come when Counties could be held liable for these types of
exceptions. It could be shown that you were aware of the health risks, yet
allowed the exception to pass. Does Hawai i County want the possibility of a
lawsuit? Do not allow yourselves to be a possible accessory to a death, make
the right decision to protect all peop/e. It is the right thing to do.
Sincere/y,
Toni Ann Symons
74-5148 Kialoa P/.
Kai/ua-Kona, HI96740
808-3Z9-6459