HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0447.022 2012-2014 'a1of 1
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From: Jonathan F W Chugen [jchugen @hawaii.edu] 7013 ,,11.11
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 9:32 PM 08
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Youth Testimony
Attachments: Youth testimony_chugen.doc
Aloha,
See attachment for my testimony.
Thank you,
Jonathan Chugen
Comm. No. 1 g 7. ZZ
Ref. To:
Ref. Date N00_
11/15/2013
November 6, 2013
Aloha Chair Yoshimoto, Vice Chair Eoff, and members of the Hawai'i County Council,
My name is Jonathan Chugen and I attend UH Hilo. I strongly support Bill 135, raising
the age of tobacco sales to 21.
There are many reasons to raise the age of sale for tobacco products to 21. Every year
1,000 people in Hawaii die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand
smoke, and tobacco-related healthcare expenditures cost Hawaii $336 million every
year. On Hawaii Island, 20 percent of young adults between 18 and 24 smoke—more
than double the rate of youth smoking, which is nine percent.
My nephew, who turned 18 last month, has been struggling with tobacco addiction. He
has health issues related to his respiratory system. I fear that if he does not quit
smoking, he will seriously put his health at risk later on in his life. Tobacco companies
do not care about the health of teenagers. In fact, tobacco companies take advantage
knowing that nicotine addiction is very effective at young age.
According to Philip Morris, one of the largest tobacco companies in the U.S, "18 to 24
year olds [are] critical to long term brand vitality as consumption increases with age."
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company acknowledges that "if a man has never smoked by
age 18, the odds are three-to-one he never will. By age 21, the odds are twenty-to-one."
It is clear that these companies are targeting us, with aims to make profit from our
health. Our community is in need of a solution for young adults that have an increased
risk for immediate health problems including increased blood pressure and asthma from
tobacco use.
Fortunately, we have a solution to delay youth initiation of deadly tobacco products,
which will reduce the risk of experimentation turning into addiction—by passing this bill.
I urge you to pass Bill 135, for the health of our county and our youth.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Chugen