HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0732.023 2008-2010to/ COALITION FOR A p
TOBACCO-FREE HAWAII o s
To: The Honorable 1 Yoshimoto, Chair Zr � Cl
The Honorable Emily Naeole - Beason, Vice Chair s't
Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council 'ft 'O m
Fr: Trisha Y. Nakamura, Esq., Policy and Advocacy Director S
(Testimony presented in- person by Juan Moncada, Deputy Director) v ,r1
Date: • April 19, 2010 % 1--A
Re: STRONG SUPPORT for Bill 216 (Comm. 732): An Ordinance Amending Cf`apter 1
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)
Set for Final Reading on April 20, 2010 at 9:00 a.m., Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and
Spa, before the full County Council
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in strong support of Bill 216, which would prohibit
smoking in all motor vehicles. This bill is about protecting our children and ensuring their
health.
The Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii (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 least
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).
' U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Toxicology Program. Report on Carcinogens. 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.
1500 S. Beretania Street, Ste. 309 • Honolulu, HI 96826 • (808) 946-6851 phone • (808) 946-6197 fax
41 tto-n mcivicaia
6, I I 2 -(o
Comm. No. 32—.2-3 1
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Hawai`i County's Smoke -Free Law (Haw County Code § 14 -21) and the Smoke -Free
Workplaces Law (Haw Rev Stat 328.1) have made many places safe by eliminating dangerous
second -hand smoke. In Hawaii County, these areas include county beaches and parks, public
restaurants, bars, workplaces, licensed child -care facilities, and vehicles owned or leased by the
State and County. Still, there are areas in which children are exposed to second -hand smoke.
Often, children 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
breathe. This legislation will help prevent diseases, reduce premature death, and decrease health-
care costs caused by smoking and second -hand smoke exposure.
Four other states (Arkansas, Louisiana, California, and Maine), Puerto Rico, and
numerous local jurisdictions have adopted provisions prohibiting smoking in vehicles with
children. We recommend that you model your law on California's provision (Cal. Health &
Safety Code § 118948). California's law provides language I) clarifying that smoking is
prohibited in motor vehicles, "whether in motion or at rest"; and 2) prohibiting law enforcement
from stopping a motor vehicle for the sole purpose of assessing whether someone with a
provisional license or permit is violating the smoking prohibition.
Hawai`i County has enacted strong laws to protect the public's health including the
smoke -free county parks and beaches law in 2008. Hawaii County is creating an environment
where healthy behaviors are the norm, ensuring that our children see and adopt healthy behaviors
for themselves. Please further protect our children by passing Bill 216 out of Committee by
prohibiting smoking in motor vehicles when a minor is present. Thank you for the opportunity to
provide testimony.
' See generally Sundzik, T., Fong, G.T., Travers, MJ., & Hyland, A. An Experimental Investigation of Tobacco
Smoke Pollution in Cars. Toronto, ON: Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, Special Repon, March 2008).