HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1210.012 2004-2006
TO: HAWAI'I 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 Jan Alipio and I work as a Youth Development Specialist with The
Salvation Army -Family Intervention Services -Youth Service Center Program,
and I strongly support Bill 365, which would prohibit smoking at Kahalu'u Beach
Park.
As a youth educator I must commend the Council for addressing this important
issue. As you already know, smoking is hazardous to health. Because of this
health risk, the State enacted one of the strongest secondhand smoking-law in
the nation prohibiting smoking in virtually all workplaces and in enclosed and
partially enclosed public places.
However, smoking is still permitted in nearly all parks and beach parks within the
State, thus our keiki continue to be endangered to the hazards of secondhand
smoke. Additionally, discarding cigarettes and cigar butts onto our beaches is
unsightly, unclean and particularly hazardous to ocean life and small children
who handle and sometime ingest them.
Finally, I am personally repelled, not only by people who smoke on our beaches,
but also by the sight of cigarette butts accumulating in the sand and parking
areas. The youth in our program did a clean-up at Coconut Island in Hilo and
picked up over 750 cigarette butts.
It is for these reasons I have noted above 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 families but also everyone.
Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill.
Sincerely,
Jan Alipio
Youth Development Specialist
The Salvation Army- Family Intervention Services
Youth Service Center- Hands Off Tobacco Program
Ph: (808) 935-9777 x201
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