HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0447.004 2012-2014 8083294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 10:10:31 a.m. 10-14-2013 r. 21+_sire
CCU 'T Y CLERK
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JOSH GREEN, M.D. rro" ;,, 1; i3ni_ 156
COP a44-1
HAWAII STATE SENATOR 2013 OCT 14 All 10: 17
October 3,2013
Aloha Council Members;
First let me:saythank you for your public service.
I submit this testimony to you from the perspective of a Big island physician and also as a public
health policy minded colleague.
Tobacco use is still the leading cause,of preventable-death in the United States and in Hawaii,
and costs our state over$336 million in healthcare expenditures every year. In the Ell,every
week I see our people fall victim to major-cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack at
an early age,most often because they have abused tobacco for long periods of time.The cost of
tobacco is real: in lives cut short by cancer,'cardiovascular disease,COPD and tither chronic lung.
diseases for both the smoker and people exposed to secondhand smoke.
More than 1,000.people die in Hawaii every year from tobacco use. In addition,Hawaii Island
has the highest smoking rates in our state,with fates as high as 20%in Puna and Kett.'So this
legislation before you is more important than in other counties.
Most troubling is that nearly all smokers begin.smoking regularly before they turn 21—
specifically,the.transition from experimentation with tobacco to addiction typically occurs
during young adulthood. Again I see and treat young individuals constantly with tobacco related
illness long before they should ever require emergency room care.
Tobacco companies heavily target kids and young adults with marketing and advertising.
Increasing the legal age of sale will help to counter the efforts of tobacco shops and companies to
target youth at a critical time. I aft so very proud of you for'taking a hard look at intervening.
against.this horrible'practice. These-companies will stop at nothing to expand addiction for
profit.
This policy will also reduce access to tobacco for youth under 18—by keeping tobacco out of our
schools. 90%of cigarettes that youth smoke are purchased for them by people between the ages.
of 18 and 20.2
' Smoking and Tobacco Use in Hawaii:Facts,Figures and Trends,Hawaii State.Department of Health
Tobacco Prevention and Education Program.Available at:http:/Ibawali.gov/healthlhealthy-
Ilfestylesl tobaccolresour eeslgeneral/trends.pdf
Comm. N '1 .7 tJ
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8083294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 10:11:09 a.m. 10-14-2013 3/3
Council Members
October 3,2013
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Increasing the legal age of sale is likely to have a significant impact in reducing tobacco use.
My effort to prevent tobacco use among young people is worthwhile—itwill save lives.
Support Bill 135—to protect the health of our community,and our young people,from-the
deadly effects.of tobacco.
As State Senator I will also have your back should you find a way to get this bill On its way to
law.
Keep up the good fight!
Sincerely,,t/�
4 I,/✓r,d).
Josh Green M.D.
Hawaii State Senate
Chairman,health committee
2-Steinberg,M, &Delnevo,C.(2013) "lncreasing.the Smoking Age:The Right Thing..to Do."Annals of
Internal Medicine.