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From: Okuda, Kelsey [kelsey.okuda @helcohi.com]
201311011 -5 APt10= 05
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 8:04 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Support for Bill 135
Attachments: bill 135 testimony.pdf
Aloha,
Attached is my testimony in support of Bill 135, relating to raising the age to purchase tobacco to 21.
Sincerely,
Kelsey Okuda
Hawaii Electric Light
1200 Kilauea Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1027
Hilo, HI 96721-1027
Phone: 808.969.0129
Fax: 808.969.0135
E-mail: kelsey.okuda @hawaiielectriclight.com
Website: www.hawaiielectriclight.com
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Comm. No eri ( L 7• ?c
Ref. To: f
Ref. Date NOV 0.6 2013
11/5/2013
Kiwanis
California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Kiwanis Club of East Hawaii
P.C). Box 44
I li10, HI 96721
November 5, 2013
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni St.
Hilo, HI 96720
RE: Support for Bill 135, Relating the the distribution of tobacco products.
Dear Councilmembers,
The Kiwanis Club of East Hawaii takes great pride in sponsoring the Hilo and Waiakea Key Clubs, Hilo
and Waiakea Intermediate Builders, E.B. deSilva and Waiakea Elementary K-Kids, and Circle K at UH-
Hilo. After learning out that our youth organizations support raising the age to purchase tobacco
products to 21, I felt compelled to submit testimony in support of this bill.
There are many reasons to support this bill, and I am sure that you will hear them all in the course of the
public's testimony. With that in mind, I will focus on the reasons I feel are most important to pass Bill
135. First, individuals who start smoking at younger ages are more likely to smoke as adults, and are
among the heaviest users. Studies indicate that as much as 95% of all adult smokers start smoking before
the age of 21. By raising the legal age to 21, it becomes more difficult for children to gain access to
tobacco products, lessening the likelihood that they will start smoking.
One out of ten public school students in grades 9-12 try smoking for the first time, every year in Hawaii.
Young people are more sensitive to nicotine's addictiveness and can become addicted more quickly than
adults. Of the 5,600 children that try smoking for the first time, 1,400 become regular smokers.
If a person can make it to their 21st birthday without becoming addicted to tobacco, they are much more
likely to live their entire lives tobacco-free. Fewer smokers means fewer cigarette butts littering our
island, cleaner air for all of us, and healtier people. For these reasons, and many others, I strongly urge
you to support Bill 135.
Sincerely,
Kelsey . Okuda
President, 2013-2014
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11 Nlohal urgnrrizatiou of voturrler dedicated to changing fire world one Cl!!!!!and one community at a tune.