Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 196 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The American Lung Association, American Heart Association, and American Cancer Association testified in support of this concurrent resolution.

Your Committee finds that the current cost of tobacco use according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is $617 million yearly in health care costs and lost worker productivity. The vision of Hawaii as a smoke-free state should be a guiding principle for lawmakers, and demonstrates a commitment by government to the health and well-being of the people of Hawaii.

However, your Committee recognizes that this goal can only be achieved in increments, such as an elimination of smoking in the workplace and all indoor public spaces. Currently, Italy, Ireland and Norway have a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 196 and recommends its adoption.