HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0942.089 2006-2008
February 20, 2008
TO: Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann & Council Members
Hawaii County Council
FR: Devyn Park
RE: WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN PSU PORT OF BILL 224,
Relating To Smoking in Certain Places in the County of Hawaii
First Reading, Public Hearing on Thursday, February 21, 2008
My name is Devyn Park and I am a freshman at Kealakehe High School and a member
of the West Hawaii Fisheries council and I strongly support Bill 224, which would make
all County of Hawaii parks and beaches smoke-free, reduce toxic litter, and send the
message that tobacco use is not the social norm in our community.
My family and I use the beaches regularly and feel that the following reasons are some
of the key points why Bill 224 should be passed:
• I know asthmatic people whom I go to the beach with and need to move if
someone is smoking around me at the beach. And it is a proven fad that second
hand smoke is one of the leading causes of lung cancer.
• 3,000 new youth become addicted everyday to tobacco. We must send a strong,
positive message to youth that reinforces what they learn in school - that
tobacco use is ham?ful and not socially acceptable.
• Cigarettes butts on the beach are harmful to young children and sea life such as
ghost crabs. Young children who eat cigarette butts will have to get their stomach
pumped and ghost crab populations have been proven to be negatively affected
in areas of high cigarette butt concentration.
• Tobacco littler from cigarette butts, plastic wrappers and cartons are the number
one litter problem we have on our beaches, toxins leach into the earth and ocean
and litter is ingested by coastal birds, sea turtles and fish.
• Over 80% of Big Island residents do rat smoke - have chosen a healthy Miedyle
and have the right to breath dean air.
Secondhand smoke is a Class-A carcinogen - same as asbestos - there are no safe
levels of exposure. It is the responsibility of government to protect the pubWs health,
including while enjoying HawaiTs parks and beaches. Bill 224 will effectively provide a
dean and healthy environment for Hawaii's keikb, ohana, visitors and w7dlife, making
visiting a8 County parks and beaches a more enjoyable experience.
Please accept this as written testimony in support of this bill.
rely,
vyn Park
73 4789 Halolani St
Kailua Kona HI 98740
indvcatfthawaii. m. com
8089870014 nn''rr
Comm. No. 'F T°~•
Ref. To. COUAaT
Ref. Date U8 Z 2038