STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1137

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 527

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 527, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TOBACCO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect Hawaii's communities from the health risks posed by cigarettes by, among other things, prohibiting:

     (1)  The sale and distribution of flavored tobacco products;

     (2)  Cigarette sales from self-service displays, except for cigarette vending machines; and

     (3)  Smoking on all public beaches and in all public parks.

     The Attorney General, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii, Hawaii Audubon Society, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.  Numerous concerned individuals opposed this measure.  Several concerned individuals submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Deleting the provisions prohibiting the sale and distribution of flavored tobacco products;

     (2)  Deleting the provisions prohibiting smoking on all public beaches and in all public parks; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 527, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 527, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair