HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.219 2002-2004 ~Y \~/~i
July 1, 2003
Councilman James Arakaki
Chair, Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Re: SMOKING BAN -PUBLIC HEARING July 2, 2003
Honorable Chair and Members of the Council:
My name is Paula Helfrich, and 1 am a "reformed" smoker. I applaud the Council's
zeal to protect public well-being, but I respectfully request that you modify the ban
as presently stated.
Most of my friends, family, children and colleagues in the workplace are reformed
smokers. Almost all of us frequent restaurants and other commercial
establishments that permit smoking in some areas. None of us have given up
friends, family or pastimes due to the hazards of second hand smoke.
As atax-payer, I am very concerned with a level of oversight and regulation in this
measure which creates unreasonable hardships for commercial establishments,
employers, the police and landlords. There is a definite economic impact for foreign
visitors who may not have our sensitivities. The opportunity for mischief and
nuisance calls is also a concern as a source of liability. Although it is appropriate
for the County to recommend public-health measures, it may expose the County to
liability far beyond the scope of this intended measure, and will at the very least
create a potential for more cigarette butt littering in public places.
I appreciate the intent of this measure, but ask that the Council enact a practical
and enforceable restriction as well as voluntary compliance. For the record,
nobody I know has quit smoking because of these kind of onerous regulations
which are expensive and impractical to enforce, and create a public aura of
unwelcoming inhospitality.
Yotu;a sincerely, ~
~ ~
nk~
Paula Helfrich ~
575 Alawaena Street
Hilo, HI 96720
989-1899 I~
Comm, No. ~ ~ • d. I
Ref. 70; L~'
Ref. Date