HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0732.014 2008-2010Murashige, Laura
OV AL 15
From: Jean Evans [JEvans @ala- hawaii.org]
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 11:00 AM
To: ' counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us'
Subject: Testimony in Support of Bill 216
Attachments: Hawaii County Council Bill 216 4- 7- 10.doc
Please see the attached testimony for First Reading on April 7, 2010.
Thank you
Jean Evans, MPH
Executive Director
American Lung Association in Hawaii
680 Iwiliei Road; Suite 575
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
ww_w.ala- hawaii.org
Phone: (808) 537 -5966 ext. 209; Fax: (808) 537 -5971
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Oahu
680 Iwilei Road, Suite 575
Honolulu, HI 96817
Tel: (808) 537 -5966
Fax. (808) 537 -5971
lung @ala- hawaii.org
Maui
95 Mahalani Street,
Suite # 28 -1A
Wailuku, HI 96793
Tel: (808) 244 -5110
Fax: (808) 242 -9041
alahmaui@ala-hawaii.org
Hawaii
39 Ululani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Tel (808) 935-1206
Fax (808) 935 -7474
alahbi @ala- hawau.org
Website:
www.ala -hawai i.orq
E -mail:
I unq(Mala- hawaii.orq
Lung HelpLine
1 -800- LUNG -USA
(586 -4872)
Improving Life
One Breath at a Time
Founded in 1904, the
American Lung Association
includes affiliated associations
throughout the U S
Date: April 5, 2010
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony.
Sincerely,
Jean Evans, MPH
Executive Director
American Lung Association in Hawaii
t AMERICAN
LUNG
ASSOCIATION®
IN HAWAII
To: Chair J Yoshimoto, Vice Chair Emily I Naeole- Beason, and Members
of the Hawai'i County Council
Re: STRONG SUPPORT for Bill 216 (Comm. 732): An Ordinance
Amending Chapter 14, Article 4, Section 14 -21 of the Hawai'i County
Code 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)
For: First Reading on April 7, 2010 at 9:00 a.m., Hawaii County
Building, before the full County Council
The American Lung Association in Hawaii strongly supports this measure
prohibiting smoking in motor vehicles with children under the age of 18.
The level of air pollution in a car caused by smoke from a cigarette is so
severe that breathing it is dangerous for anyone. Children breathe quicker
than adults, are still developing physically and have little or no control over
their indoor environments. As a result, children exposed to secondhand
smoke run a greater risk of damaging health effects.
Children who breathe secondhand smoke on a regular basis are at a higher
risk for middle ear infections. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause
asthma in children who have never previously shown any symptoms.
Babies and children younger than age 6 who are exposed to secondhand
smoke regularly are more likely to get respiratory track infections, such as
pneumonia and bronchitis.
An enclosed environment where smoking occurs is so dangerous that the
California Air Resources Board declared secondhand smoke a "toxic air
contaminant' putting it in the same category as car exhaust and asbestos.
With Hawaii having the second highest children's asthma rate in the nation
and the added burden of the recent increase in vog, we are pleased to see
that Hawaii County is considering taking the lead in protecting the health of
our future adults. This is truly important step following the passage of
smoke -free county parks and beaches. We encourage you to pass Bill 216.