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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0314.067 1996-1998 June 3rd 1997 Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council, My issue today is not the legalization of marijuana nor the industrial benefits of hemp but the issue of leadership. I am asking members to note the direction our country is moving in regards to the "drug abuse problem" and as each one of you consider what is best for your constituents I ask you to act as leaders and not followers. Leaders will note that President Clinton has repeatedly stated recently that the "the biggest health problem facing our nation today is tobacco....with over 400,000 Americans dying each yeaz from tobacco-related illnesses and nearly 90% of them stazting to smoke before the age of 18." In 1995, 1,132 Hawaii residents died from tobacco related illnesses. These deaths were preventable. Obviously marijuana, from which there have been no reported deaths, is a miniscule drug problem by comparison with tobacco. Leaders will note that Governor Cayetano reports that in "1995 alone, Hawaii lost over $328 million as a result of the effects of smoking cigazettes." My estimate of Hawaii County's share of that loss caused by tobacco is about $38 million. There are no official estimates of any similar losses attributable to marijuana. Leaders will note that the Hawaii State Dept. of Education recently reported that "an alarming 34% of Hawaii high school students are regular tobacco smokers compared to 22% in 1980 revealing a shocking increase in adolescents beginning a long term addiction and life shortening habit. " Leaders will also note that numerous studies indicate tobacco use precedes other drug use. The Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University reported in 1994 that $ 3 an adult who smoked cigazettes as a child is 3 times more likely to use marijuana and 4 times m more likely to use cocaine than one who did not smoke as a child. The 1995 National ~ ~ Household Survey on Drug Abuse stated that youths 12-17 who smoked tobacco were about 8 times as likely to use illicit drugs and 11 times as likely to drink heavily as non smokers. ~ F ~ {tH i I assume that wise leaders intent on the pursuit of a wise drug abuse 5' ~ c policy would spend public money relative to the `problems' associated with the different drugs that are abused. i'~ For this reason I urge Members to act as wise leaders and take a stand on the drug abuse issue. Instead of"carte blanche" accepting Federal funding for marijuana eradication programs yeaz after year 1 ask that you pursue policies to use federal funding for the support of serious efforts to reduce the access of Hawaii's children to tobacco which is the major drug abuse problem in our county, our state and the nation. As Governor Cayetano said in relation to youth access to tobacco, "The key to a healthy and productive future is in the hands of Hawaii's youth. Let's give them the best opportunity for success by supporting them in reaching their goal. Graham Ellis >ua 3~ 6 7 cr_,.-- 1Iw lbs. IJSG ief. 1bt Prasenied % C- ltd'. ,ti,~J(!N i l!I EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS HONOLULU BENJAMIN J. CAYETANO September 9, 1996 GOVCRMOR Exactly one year ago, President Clinton addressed the nation on the problem of youth smoking. With over 400,000 Americans dying each year from tobacco-related illnesses and nearly 90 percent of them starting to smoke before the age of 18, the President has become an advocate for further restrictions on youth access to tobacco. Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of death for our people. In 1995 alone, Hawaii lost over $328 million as a result of the effects of smoking. Lost wages and decreased productivity caused by premature death due to smoking cost nearly $132 million, while hospital and other direct health costs due to smoking added close to $160 million. In 1993, nearly 30 percent of 12th graders in public schools reported being regular smokers compared to 22 percent in 1980. What these statistics reveal is an alarming increase in adolescents beginning a long term addiction and life shortening habit. Hawaii's booklet entitled, "Hawaii's Youth Making a Difference for Their Future," is a collection of comments from Hawaii's school children in support of growing up tobacco-free. In excerpts from their letters, they express anger at being targeted by the tobacco industry, fear for what tobacco is doing to their generation, and sympathy for those who have suffered the fatal consequences of a legal but lethal product. My hope is that this booklet is the beginning of a statewide effort to reduce youth access to tobacco. The key to a healthy and productive future is in the hands of Hawaii's youth. Let's give them the best opportunity for success by supporting them in reaching their goal. with warmest personal regards, Aloha, . ' ~ BENJ IN J. CAYETANO J 3-:' , ~'i OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR STATE OF HAWAII ware caviroi HONOLULU HAWAU 96813 MAZIE K. NIRONO PHONE 18081 586-0255 uEUTENaNT GOVERNOR December 18, 1996 After declining steadily for years, tobacco use in America has leveled off and even shows signs of increasing. A major factor in this disturbing trend is that smoking among children and adolescents is at an all-time high. The average age of first time tobacco-users in the U.S. is only thirteen years. The Hawaii State Department of Education recently reported that an alarming 34 percent of Hawaii high school students are regular smokers. Last year, 1,132 Hawaii residents died from tobacco- related illnesses, 16 percent of deaths for that year. These deaths were preventable. Faced with these kinds of statistics, the Clinton Administration is doing something about it, through a new policy initiative, the first of its kind. For the first time, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a plan to curb tobacco advertisements that deliberately target children and to restrict access of tobacco products to children. On August 23, President Clinton approved the FDA rules implementing the plan. This booklet contains dramatic statements from Hawaii's youth about tobacco use, its impact on their friends and families, and their feelings about being targeted by tobacco industry advertising. We can help our youth here in Hawaii by supporting the FDA's initiative to regulate the marketing and distribution of tobacco products to kids, and by continuing to adopt tough anti-tobacco measures of our own. I commend the 1,500 Hawaii students for speaking out against tobacco and congratulate the Hawaii Department of Health for compiling their statements into this compelling booklet. By working together to prevent smoking, our community can provide a healthier future for Hawaii's children. Aloha, ~ MAZIE K. HIRONO