Hawaii resists Big Tobacco in favor of health

So often Hawaii is seen as bringing up the rear in asserting a policy shift, but this time it’s the Californians who are lagging.

At the Sacramento state house, two bills aimed at curbing youth smoking fell recently, reportedly under pressure from Big Tobacco lobbyists. These were bills to regulate e-cigarettes the same as tobacco products and to raise the state smoking age to 21. These measures mirror the legislation that passed in Hawaii this past session.

Kudos, Hawaii lawmakers. The evidence that e-cigs are pushing more kids to nicotine — and to regular cigarettes — is compelling, say officials in this state. Cracking down on smoking and vaping at a life stage when bad habits really take hold seems the healthiest strategy for humans, if not for the industry.

The comforts of family for a cancer patient

For many years the Ronald McDonald House has eased at least one worry of families dealing with the serious illness of their children: where to stay to be close at hand. Soon there will be a similar place to accommodate others, especially from the neighbor islands.

Groundbreaking for the Clarence T.C. Ching Hope Lodge, a project of the American Cancer Society, will take place July 24 at 251 Vineyard St., which is near The Queen’s Medical Center. The society still has $3 million to raise, but when it opens, families of cancer patients will have free temporary lodging, with about 20 private guest suites planned.

Home is where the heart is, and in these cases, that’s with the patient.