Capitol smoking-ban
bill introduced
in the House

The measure moves to the
Judiciary panel for its consideration

---

By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com

The long-standing sight of smokers hanging out at the lanai railings of the state Capitol may become a thing of the past if the building becomes smoke-free this year under a bill moving in the state House.

Rep. Marilyn Lee (D, Mililani), House majority floor leader and the bill's author, said most public buildings nationwide are going smoke-free to protect employees and clients.

In Hawaii, children and tourists who visit the Capitol see, among other things, the building being treated with disrespect by the constant smell of smoke and the sight of old coffee cans used to collect cigarette butts, she said.

"Walking through the halls of the state Capitol, one cannot escape the odor of smoke and actual smoke," said Lee, a registered nurse for 35 years.

"As the symbol of our state government, the state Capitol deserves better," she said.

State health officials agreed, and said environmental tobacco smoke is a human lung carcinogen responsible for 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 53,000 other deaths annually in nonsmokers nationwide.

Alvin Wong, who works with the Capitol TV system, testified he has no choice but to breathe this environmental tobacco smoke.

"I have heard this same complaint from even clerks that must walk through this health menace," Wong said. "Even coming in from the garage, smokers are at the entrances, smoking with little concern about the health of others."

The measure goes to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

---

Legislature Directory

Legislature Bills & Hawaii Revised Statutes

Testimony by email: testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov
Include in the email the committee name; bill number;
date, time and place of the hearing; and number of copies
(as listed on the hearing notice.) For more information,
see http://www.hawaii.gov/lrb/par
or call 587-0478.