HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1091.078 2012-2014COUNTYCLBRK
COUNTY OF HAWArl
Laura Guluzzy, M.A. Gerontologist ;p�D
Consultant /Caregiver Author Date 1
P.O. Box 1222, Kailua -Kona, Hl 96745
Residence: 75 -202 Malulani Drive, Kailua -Kona, Hl 96740
Email. writerlsg@gmail.com Website: www.saciewiselaura.com
Office: 808-326-2100 Cell: 650 -242 -6000 Home: 808-327-2100
November 19, 201,'4, ` r
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Hawaii County Council Fu#- geaMtjcv4 EH
Statement Supporting Bill 302
I have not had to use my rescue inhaler more than once or twice in a year for my asthma.
When taking a group golf lesson, my cart partner started smoking an ECig while we were parked. As she
exhaled, she accelerated the cart causing what she exhaled to be blown into my mouth, and I
accidentally inhaled it. A few seconds later, I went into a full -blown asthma attack, which I hadn't had in
over a year. I did "ton bnue mX1fi.►+„Ie�` - ''^ �+ As my lungs were
closing, I calmed myself down with meditation and sips of water. Out there on the golf course on what
should have been a time for fun, instruction and relaxation, I feared for my life. The lead -based particles
and toxins that I had just inhaled caused me great anxiety, and affected my health. Evidenced -based
research by the American Lung Association (www.lung.org) bears out that my health had been
compromised by the vapor I had just breathed into my lungs. All smoking inhalants into your lungs have
the capacity for damage to your lungs.
Recently, I dropped something off at the airport my friends had left behind for their trip back to the
mainland. I parked the car and ran in and gave it to them. On my way back across the crosswalk, I saw a
man at the end of the crosswalk smoking one of the large, bong -like vaporizers. As I walked up to him,
he exhaled pointedly across my path with a smirk on his face and his hippy beret tilted to the side.
Remembering the 60's, and my recent Ecig problem, I held my breath and ran through the end of the
crosswalk to my car. I definitely smelled something. I had no idea what he was smoking. I was fearful.
At our homeowner's association Halloween Party, I cringed as a man sat on the lawn blowing smoke out
of his vaporizer with his wife accidentally inhaling it sitting next to him in the light breeze. My friend, a
doctor, smoked ECigs because he thought it was better than cigarettes and his son modeled the same
behavior after seeing his father. I pointed him to the health issues and research. I believe he's trying to
quit the unhealthy toxins and lead he was putting into his system. NLm 004 V. pake4"4=mfp�
iA Fe. Kids in Parks will model the smoking seen there. There may even be Meth in those vaporizers.
We don't know what substances they are all inhaling. Our elderly are also mistakenly thinking that ECigs
and vaporizers are better than smoking. There is no longitudinal evidence that is true. In my mind the
businesses promoting these products our building a case for future expensive hospital stays and disease.
Why would we support that? Especially on an island that is erupting with lava and air quality issues.
For the sake of public safety, we do not want to be known as the County that approved 2 "d -hand aerosol.dP wdc�o�9
taking lives. There is NO question that we need to protect our family, friends, neighbors, and park goer's
from 2"dhand smoke VS eroW alants that WILL jeopardize our health, including the possibility of
new cancers /diseasesnYou, Suncil Wmbers are TOO smart to be known as the people who approved a
substance that will harm others. Please vote in favor of Bill 302. Mahalo for taking the best course of
action for our health, safety, longevity and quality of life. Comm. No. 7
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