STOP Big Island Bill 302: Attend The Final Vote On eCig Law In The County Of Hawaii

Introduced this past October, Bill 302 is back in the news of the County of Hawaii as the County Council will be having its last discussion on the Bill this Wednesday on December 17, 2014.

If voted on, Bill 302 will amend Chapter 14, Article 4 of the Hawaii County Code 1983, which will prohibit the use of electronic cigarette devices in all partially enclosed and enclosed places on Big Island where tobacco products have already been prohibited. This will also prohibit the use of ecigarettes at all County parks and recreational facilities.

Bill 302 was introduced by Councilman Kanuha and had its first reading back in November 19, 2014. This was carried over from the previous council who voted it into a second reading; two councilmembers who were in favor of the bill in its first reading (J Yoshimoto and Brenda Ford) are no longer on the council.

If this bill is passed by the council and is signed into law by the mayor, the use of ecigarettes and other smoking devices will be prohibited from all enclosed places within the County of Hawaii, and will place ecigs in the same light as its tobacco cigarette counterpart.

This will be the Definition of “Electronic Smoking Devices” if the council passes Bill 302:

“Electronic smoking devices” means any electronic product that can be used to simulate smoking in the delivery of nictotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device including but not limited to and electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo or electronic pipe, and any cartridge or other component of the device or related product.”

(Amended language proposed for Chapter 14, article 4, section 14-20 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 2005 Edition, as amended.)

Public Testimony for the first reading of Bill 302 from November 19, 2014

A segment of the council’s discussion on Bill 302 from November 19, 2014

A Call To Action: STOP BIG ISLAND FROM BANNING ECIG USE

We need your help and support now to stop Bill 302 from being signed into law. If you are a Big Island resident, take the time and attend the second hearing for this bill and voice your opinion. Your vaping rights are in trouble on the island of Hawaii, it is time to do something about it!

Where:

West Hawaii Civic Center

74-5044 Keohokelole Highway, Building A

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

When:

December 17, 2014

9:00AM

Read Here for the verbiage on Bill 302

View the Full Agenda for the Council here.