Protecting our Keiki from Secondhand Smoke

 

The American Heart Association believes that everyone deserves to be protected from secondhand smoke and we especially believe that our keiki deserve that protection.

During the 2016 Hawaii state legislative session a bill was proposed that would have made it illegal to smoke with children in your vehicle. Ultimately the bill did not pass but simultaneously there was work happening on the issue at the local level on Kauai.

In late July, Kauai became the second county in Hawaii to restrict smoking in vehicles when children are present. The Kauai County Council voted 6-1 to approve Bill 2629, which prohibits smoking in vehicles with children under the age of 13. The American Heart Association would have preferred the bill’s original language setting chiildren’s ages at 17 or under but we believe the bill passed is a good start. 

In 2010, Hawaii County was the first to pass a similar bill. The Hawaii County Council passed a bill by a vote of 5-3 to prohibit smoking in vehicles when children 17 or younger are present.

The AHA will continue to support this issue until we achieve statewide coverage whether it’s done county by county or through statewide legislation.

Thank you for your continued support to keep our keiki safe from secondhand smoke.

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