The Committee on Higher Education and the Arts
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
2:00 pm, Room 224

 

RE: SB 134, RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI

 

Attention: Chair Kai Kahele, Vice Chair Michelle Kidani and
Members of the Committee

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) opposes SB 134 relating to a statutory prohibition on smoking, tobacco use and the use of electronic smoking devices by any person on the premises of the University of Hawaiʻi.  The University already has the authority and the ability to prohibit smoking and the use of tobacco and electronic smoking devices as noted in Section 1 paragraph 3 of SB 134.

The University has worked with UHPA in the past and continues to work with UHPA to ensure a healthy working conditions for the faculty and subsequently the students.  It continues to be the right of UHPA to work with the University to ensure that any policy that impacts faculty work environment promotes “positive health practices.”

We appreciate the opportunity to continue retaining the determination of best practices in the workplace; in the workplace rather than in statute.

UHPA opposes the passage of SB 134.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristeen Hanselman
Executive Director