HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1091.124 2012-2014Murashige, Laura
From:
Cory Chun ^cory.chun@cancecong^
Sent:
Tuesday, December 16'20I4lI:57AK4
To:
Council Testimony
Subject:
Testimony for I2-l7-l4hearing; Bill 3U2
Attachments:
Bill 302 Hawaii [ountyl2-l6'I4.docx
Attached is testimony for Bill 302 for the 12-17-14 agenda.
Cory Chun IHawaii Government Relations
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.
2370 Nuuanu Avenue
Honolulu, H|9S817
Phone: 808.432.B1401Mobile: OO8.781�03O81Fax: 808.5957502
apscan.org
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Ref. Date DEC 17 ZQTJF_
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American
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December 16, 2014
Councilmember Dru Kanuha, Chair
Councilmember Valarie Poindexter, Vice Chair
Members of the Hawaii County Council
American Cancer Society
Cancer Action Network
2370 Nu'uanu AVcnuE
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
808.432.9149
www.acsean.orgy
Bill 302 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 ( GENERAL WELFARE), ARTICLE 4 OF
THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 ( 2005 EDITION, AS AMENDED) RELATING TO
PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN CERTAIN PLACES AND THE USE OF ELECTRONIC
SMOKING DEVICES.
Cory Chun, Government Relations Director — Hawaii Pacific
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 302, which
amends Hawaii County's smoke-free ordinance to prohibit the use of electronic smoking
devices in places open to the public where smoking is prohibited.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading
cancer advocacy organization. ACS CAN works with federal, state, and local government
bodies to support evidence -based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate
cancer as a major health problem.
Electronic smoking devices (ESDs) are designed to look like cigarettes, right down to the
glowing tip. When the smoker puffs on it, the system delivers a mist of liquid, flavorings,
and nicotine that looks something like smoke. The smoker inhales it like cigarette
smoke, and the nicotine is absorbed into the lungs. The ESD is usually sold as a way for a
smoker to get nicotine in places where smoking is not allowed. Some people think they
can be used to help people give up tobacco.
The makers of ESDs say that the ingredients are "safe," but this only means the
ingredients have been found to be safe to eat. Inhaling a substance is not the same as
swallowing it. There are questions about how safe it is to inhale some substances in the
ESD vapor into the lungs. And ESDs are not labeled with their ingredients, so the user
doesn't know what's in them. The amounts of nicotine and other substances a person
gets from each cartridge are also unclear.
A study done by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found cancer-causing
substances in half the ESD samples tested. Other impurities were also found, including
one sample with diethylene glycol, a toxic ingredient found in antifreeze.
Studies have shown that ESDs can cause short-term lung changes that are much like
those caused by regular cigarettes. But long-term health effects are still unclear. This is
an active area of research, but the safety of these products is currently unknown.
We do know that ESDs are designed to deliver nicotine, and nicotine is addictive. This
strongly suggests ESD use will lead to dependence, unless the user weans him or herself
from them. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control survey published in 2013 showed that
ESD use in middle school and high school students doubled between 2011 and 2012,
with 10% of high school students and 3% of middle school kids using them and risking
addiction to nicotine. Among high school students, 80% smoked regular cigarettes and
used ESDs at the same time.
Because the ACS CAN doesn't yet know whether ESDs are safe and effective, we cannot
recommend them to help people quit smoking. There are proven methods available to
help people quit, including pure forms of inhalable nicotine as well as nasal sprays,
gums, and patches.
Until ESDs are scientifically proven to be safe and effective, ACS CAN will support the
regulation of e -cigarettes and laws that treat them like all other tobacco products.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on this matter.
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