Letters 10-15-13

Tobacco bill: A
laudable idea that
just won’t work

In the Sunday edition of West Hawaii Today, Kona Councilman Dru Kanuha is supporting Bill 135 that would raise the age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. I do not smoke and don’t believe anyone should. Nevertheless, passage of such a bill may have a variety of unintended consequences.

1. A new illegal “cottage industry” will emerge to sell contraband tobacco products to young people.

2. The contraband tobacco products will be sold at an inflated price making it more difficult for kids to purchase them.

3. The crime rate among the young will likely increase so they can pay the cost of “black market” tobacco products.

4. The bill will not change anyone’s smoking habits.

5. Prohibition did not reduce the drinking of alcohol. I doubt this bill will reduce smoking.

Councilman Kanuha’s objective is a laudable one. Bill 135 will not accomplish it.

Dennis Brown

Waimea

Why is Waikoloa
bus always empty?

This is driving me crazy.

Has anyone else seen the big, green, empty bus circulating around Waikoloa? It does not matter what time or day of the week, every time I see that shiny green Roberts bus driving around Waikoloa Village, it is empty except for the poor, lonely driver. Empty, nada, not one single passenger aboard.

What gives? Does the county have money to burn? Is this another badly negotiated contract between Hawaii County and a private vendor? Are there zombies at every stop that quietly snatch would-be passengers before the bus has a chance to pick them up and deliver them to wherever they are going?

Is this contributing to the many new taxes, user fees and increased property taxes? Has there been no consideration for the increase in health care costs for county employees coming down the pike? Can somebody please answer these questions for me?

Michelle “Mike” Kerr

Waikoloa