HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0732.005 2008-2010To: The Honorable Emily I. Naeole- Beason, Chair
The Honorable Dominic Yagong, Vice Chair
Members, Iiawai'i County Council Cmte on Human Services & Economic Development
Fr: Trisha Y. Nakarnura, Esq., Policy and Advocacy Director
(Testimony presented in- person by Juan Moncada, Deputy Director)
Date: March 15, 2010
Re: STRONG SUPPORT for Bill 216 (Comm. 732): An Ordinance Amending Chapter 14,
Article 4, Section 14 -21 of the Hawaii County Codc 1983 (2005 Edition, as Amended),
Relating to Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Places (prohibits smoking in all motor
vehicles if a person under 18 years of age is in the motor vehicle)
Set for Hearing: March 16, 2010 at 9:00 a.m., Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in strong support of Bill 216, which would prohibit
smoking in all motor vehicles.
The Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawai`i (Coalition) is the only independent
organization in Hawaii whose sole mission is to reduce tobacco use through education, policy
and advocacy. Our organization is a nonprofit organization of over 3,000 organizations and
members working to create a healthy Hawaii through comprehensive tobacco prevention and
control efforts In 2006, the Coalition was honored to support the Tobacco -Free Big Island in
advocating for smoke -free county beaches and public places.
Our children must be protected from second -hand smoke. Second -hand smoke is still a
major health threat. Second -hand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, of which at (cast
250 are known to be harm and 50 to cause cancer.' Second hand smoke exposure has immediate
adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease.' In infants and
children, exposure to second -hand smoke impacts lung development as their bodies are still
developing. Infants exposed to second -hand smoke after birth are also at greater risk for SIDS
(Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Hawaii i County's Smoke -Free Law (Haw County Codc § 14 -21) and the Smoke -Free
Workplaces Law (Haw Rev Stat 328 J) have made many places free of dangerous second -hand
smoke including county beaches and parks, public restaurants, bars, workplaces, licensed child-
care facilities, and vehicles owned or leased by the State and County. Still, children are being
U.S Department of I lealth and Human Services National Toxicology Program Report on Carinogens. Eleventh
Edition 2005.
2 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco
Smoke A Report of the Surgeon General 2006.
Comm. No. 3 2 S
Ref. To: [ SFDL
Ref, UWo MAP, 1 6 2010
exposed to second -hand smoke and often have no "choice" to leave spaces with second -hand
smoke. Motor vehicles such as cars are likely to be a substantial source of second -hand smoke
exposure for children. Even under realistic ventilation conditions — windows rolled down and
adding ventilation through fans or air condition— second -hand smoke levels reach unhealthy
levels that exceed standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Prohibiting smoking
in cars would eliminate a major source of second -hand smoke exposure, ensuring infants and
youth have smoke -free air to breathc.
Hawaii County has enacted strong laws to protect the public's health including the
smoke -free county parks and beaches law in 2006. Hawaii County is creating an environment
where healthy behaviors are the norm, ensuring that our children see healthy behaviors. Please
further protect our children by passing Bill 216 out of Committee by prohibiting smoking in
motor vehicles when a minor is present.
' See generally Sundzik, T , Fong, G T , Travers, M.J , & Hyland, A. An Experimental Investigation of Tobacco
Smoke Pollution in Cars. Toronto, ON Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, Special Report, March 2008).