HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0942.113 2006-2008
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From: Council Testimony (counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us)
To: hawaiicountycouncil@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, March It, 2008 4:14:32 PM
Subject: FW: Bill 224
From: Terry Miura [maitto:teny_miura@yahoo.com)
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 1:33 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Bill 224
March 11, 2008
Honorable Members of the County Council,
Bill 224 poses many questions regarding a person's freedom to smoke and another person's freedom to
breathe clean, fresh air. There have been many letters to the editor and I have spoken to many people on
the subject and even our Mayor says he will veto it. Pm sure there are many smokers who are courteous
smokers and are aware of where their smoke goes and then dispose of their butts properly, however my
experience is that most smokers are NOT aware and throw their butts on the beach, out the car window
or wherever they are when they are done smoking. I would like to see the bill passed in it's original
form, but if it means that it won't make it at all without some amendments, I offer these suggestions.
1) Start small. Ban smoking at all County Beach Parks. This is where the cigarette butts do the most
damage as they are closer to the ocean or in it. Cigarette butts are LITTER and a very toxic litter. As I
mentioned in my previuos testimony, cigarette butts are the number one type of litter worldwide. See
how it works at our beach parks and then move on to other parks and facilities.
2) For the law to be effective, you must educate the public on the hazards of cigarette smoking as well as
the damaging effect of the litter it causes. Keep America Beautiful says "education and public
awareness of the problem are key to reducing litter". It is not enough just to pass laws.
3) If you decide to make designated "smoking areas", remember that the wind still blows and it can
change direction at any time, which means it will still affect the quality of the air we all breathe. Also
you need to make sure there is a very visible place for people to throw their butts so this designated area
doesn't become a cigarette butt wasteland and cause more litter problems.
For some of you this may be a difficult vote, but if you think about the overall health of the people on
our island and the reduction of toxic litter from our parks, I'm sure you will make the right decision.
Mahalo for your time,
Terry Miura
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