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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Web sites have details on smoking ban
Question: The new law prohibiting smoking in public and work places is supposed to take effect in November. Where can we go to find out the details on what is allowed and what is not allowed under this new statute?
Answer: The new law takes effect Nov. 16 -- the same day as the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.
The best information now can be obtained on the Coalition for a Smoke-Free Hawaii Web site at www.tobaccofreehawaii.org, according to the state Department of Health.
However, the department plans to post information soon on its Web site, www.hawaii.gov/health, spokeswoman Janice Okubo said last week.
Beginning Oct. 27, the public can call 211 for information or to lodge complaints.
Lawmakers said the intent of the new law is "to protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment through ensuring a consistent level of basic protections statewide from exposure to secondhand smoke."
The Health Department is required to develop administrative rules for the law, as well as to enforce it.
Its Tobacco Prevention & Education Program has been presenting a draft proposal of the rules to business, professional, government, union and community groups, both to provide information and to obtain feedback, said program manager Julian Lipsher.
The ideas and issues brought up will be incorporated into the draft that will be presented soon to the general public, he said.
"This 'deliberate' process (of setting up the rules) can take anywhere from six months to one year."
By the time the law takes effect next month, the department anticipates "widespread community knowledge" about it, Lipsher said.
Basically, the new law would prohibit smoking in all enclosed or partially enclosed areas of: state and county facilities and vehicles, including throughout airport terminals; workplaces; areas open to the public, such as bars, nightclubs, restaurants, bowling alleys, educational facilities, health care facilities, auditoriums, libraries, museums, service lines, shopping malls and sports arenas; areas available to the public, including restrooms and lobbies; and other common areas open to the public in offices, banks, Laundromats, hotels and condominiums.
The law also prohibits smoking within 20 feet of entrances, exits, open windows and ventilation intakes to enclosed or partially enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited.
Exceptions include private homes; hotel rooms designated for smoking; retail tobacco stores; certain rooms in nursing homes; and outdoor areas of certain places of employment.
Smokers found in violation face a maximum fine of $50, while owners or operators of a facility found in noncompliance of the law face fines of $100 for the first violation and $500 for each violation after three.
Got a question or complaint? Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
See also: Useful phone numbers