HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1210.037 2004-2006
TO: HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 365
Relating To Smoking In Certain Places In The County of Hawaii
Council Meeting Dec. 20, 2006
December 18, 2006
My name is Faith Rossman, and I strongly support Bill 365, which would prohibit
smoking at Kahalu'u Beach Park.
As a nurse, I applaud the Council for addressing this important issue. As you
already know, smoking is a major health hazard. To diminish this health risk, the
State enacted one of the strongest secondhand smoking-law in the nation
prohibiting smoking in virtually all workplaces and enclosed and partially
enclosed public places. However, smoking is still permitted in nearly all parks
and beach parks within the State. As a result, our keiki continue to be exposed
to the hazards of secondhand smoke. Additionally, discarded cigarettes and
cigar butts on our beaches is unsightly, unclean and particularly hazardous to
small children who handle and sometime ingest them. I have personally
experienced a foot burn from cigarettes that were discarded in the sand, but not
extinguished. I am repelled, not only by people who smoke on our beaches, but
also by the sight of cigarette butts accumulating in the sand.
It is for these reasons that I strongly encourage the Council to pass this
ordinance. Let's have at least one beach on the Big Island that is smoke-free
and can be enjoyed not only by families but by everyone.
Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill.
Sincerely,
Faith Rossman, RN, MN
Kona Community Hospital
Hawaii Island Tobacco Free Partnership
Comm. No.
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