By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
A smoker takes a break outside the Capitol yesterday.
House panel OKs
By Terrence Lee
anti-smoking measure
Star-BulletinSmokers would be prohibited from lighting up in workplaces in state buildings, under a bill that has passed the House Health Committee.
But they could continue to smoke in private workplaces that currently allow it.
The bill differs from a Senate proposal that would ban smoking in most workplaces with two or more employees.
"If you exclude the private workplace, a huge number of workers would not be afforded protection," said Julian Lipsher, director of the state Health Department's tobacco prevention and education project.
"There would be a two-tier system: one for public workers and another for private workers."
Lipsher said a 1997 city ordinance that bans smoking in many Oahu workplaces proves the feasibility and merits of a smoking ban for any work area.
"In public health you want to protect as many people as possible," he said. "At best, a smoking ban for state workplaces is modest progress. But why settle for modest when you have the opportunity to protect a greater number of people?"
Secondhand smoke is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States, according to Deputy Health Director Virginia Pressler.
Workplaces expose people to four times the amount of secondhand smoke than in the typical household, she said.
Labor Committee Chairwoman Terry Yoshinaga (D, Moiliili) said she believes the House bill reflects the concerns of private industry.
The House Labor and Judiciary committees still must pass the bill if it is to advance. Judiciary Chairman Paul Oshiro (D, Ewa Beach) said he is not sure yet if he will hold a hearing on it.
Lipsher said he is hopeful the House and Senate can reach a compromise to protect workers in both state and private workplaces.
Legislature Directory
Hawaii Revised Statutes
Legislature Bills
