HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1091.079 2012-2014Murashige, Laura
From: Wessel, Leinani on behalf of Kanuha, Dru
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 8:49 AM
To: Murashige, Laura
Subject: FW: BILL 302
Attachments: ESD Letter to Council.docx
Testimony we have received via email for tomorrows agenda
feinani Wessel
CouncilAide to Councilman Dru Xanuha
Hawaii County Council
District 7 - Centralxona
(8o8)323 -4268
Leinani lvesseC @hai- va.iicounty.gov
From: Rose Hart [mailto:rosehart @hawaii.edu]
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2014 3:13 PM
To: Kanuha, Dru
Subject: BILL 302
Aloha Councilman Kanuha,
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My name is Rose Hart, and attached I have a personal letter requesting Hawaii Council's support for Bill No
302.
Mahalo,
Rose Hart
Peer Health Educator
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Student Health & Wellness Programs
L909)973 -2897
rosehart(,hawaii. edu
Comm. No /174 7 /
Ref. To: IOU.,.
Ref. Date
University of Hawaii at Hilo Student Health and Wellness Programs
17 November, 2014
Dear Hawaii County Council Member Dru Kanuha,
On behalf of the University of Hawaii at Hilo Student Health and Wellness Programs, I would like to
express our strong support for Hawaii County Bill 302 to integrate electronic smoking devices (ESD)
into all Hawaii County Smoke -Free and Tobacco -Free ordinances. Using an ESD is a person's choice,
but not a choice for an innocent bystander who inhales ESD aerosol.
Evidence is clear that ESD's do not just emit "harmless water vapor ". Secondhand aerosol contains
various chemicals and toxins that have been known to cause cancer. Individuals who struggle with
breathing disabilities have further compromised lung function when exposed to the ESD aerosol.
Short term exposure causes eye, throat, and airway irritation, not to mention an unnatural irritation
to the sense of smell. Long term exposure can even cause asthma attacks and new cases of asthma
in children.
A public place or workplace that permits the usage of ESDs may be subject to a violation of the
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2009
There are no regulations on ESDs at all. ESD manufacturers are not required to disclose what
chemicals are in their products, where they are produced, how they are made, or the potential
health risks they pose. This should be extremely alarming! There is no credible evidence proving
ESD as successful smoking cessation method or have ESD's been regulated for cessation therapy.
Furthermore, individuals who choose not to use ESD's, or children, should not be subjected to the
exhaled chemicals from someone smoking and ESD.
Throughout the US we are seeing a huge increase in young children being poisoned from nicotine,
over 219% over the past 2 years. Of even more concern is the increasing use of ESD's by youth.
There has been a reported three -fold increase of middle school and high school student use of ESD
since 2011. Youth use here, in West Hawaii, is at least 75% or more just in middle school alone.
It is vital that we prevent harm and risks before they cause death and disease just as cigarettes
have.
As an organization that works to care for our Hawaii County Ohana and communities we want to
know that the places where we work and play are healthy places to be, free from ESD aerosol and
free from the undesired exposure of youth to behaviors that might encourage smoking.
Please support Bill 302 and take care of our islands health.
Sincerely,
Rose Hart
Peer Health Educator
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Student Health & Wellness Programs