Hypocrisy?
It is now federal law that anyone under 21 cannot purchase smoking products.
I guess state Rep. Richard Creagan is not in agreement about that, because he wanted persons under 100 to have the same restrictions. But the feds shouldn’t stop there.
They should also make it a crime for anyone under 21 to purchase any product that the politicians think is harmful.
And what is their reason for increasing the age of use to 21? Because those under 21 are not mature enough!
Not mature enough? Then why can those under 21 enlist in the military? Or even vote?
Perhaps they do have a point there about not being mature, because look who they vote for … Creagan?
We allowed those at least 18 to drink and smoke in the mid-1960s (in New York state), but along with that the United States drafted men 18 and over.
What makes the government think that those under 21 will abuse smoking and drinking, but not those 21 or older? And whose concern is it if they abuse those banned products?
But good thing no one over 21 abuses these products. I don’t smoke any product, and don’t use any drug that is not prescribed for me by my doctor, but how can I restrict what someone else puts in their body?
How can the government restrict any drug product, and smoking is a drug, and make it a crime to use, because they don’t like it?
There is no reason for me, or anyone, to prohibit what an adult does with their own person or property, provided they never infringe on the person or property of a nonconsenting other adult.
Minimum government, maximum freedom.
Michael L Last
Na‘alehu
Self-promotion?
Stacy Higa will not tell Big Island residents when to watch Hawaii County Council meetings on his Na Leo TV station’s channel 55. Instead, we see Stacy promoting himself. He uses fireside chats with council members. Stacy acts like the old pro. He is the paternalistic guide in the world of county government.
The old cavalier pro controls the media by not telling Spectrum customers when Hawaii County Council meetings can be viewed on his TV station. The same goes for state legislation.
The $64,000 question is: Will ex-council chair Higa run for mayor again? If so, cable subscribers have already paid for his campaign, and for incumbent council members, too. Spectrum charges us 23 cents a month and gives that money to Mr. Higa.
Jerry Warren
Na‘alehu
Addressing litter
Not sure if strict plastic food containers, plastic utensils, and plastic straw laws would ever be created here on Hawaii Island like what was passed recently on Oahu.
However, certain anti-litter measures can be taken now by having food vendors omit the green plastic leaf décor that often accompanies bento packs and other related pupu platters. These are often seen in litter, mainly in park and beach areas.
I don’t believe for one minute food sales will drop because there is no green plastic leaf in bento packs. I also call on all food vendors to leave out the plastic leaf.
Food plastics are not the problem. The problem is the careless litterbugs who trash the environment with these products, forcing lawmakers to create these tough laws.
Even with biodegradable food products, careless litterbugs will still continue to litter the land. Let’s fight litter proactively, not reactively.
Rick LaMontagne
Hilo