Another reason to quit smoking

Starting today, smokers are prohibited from lighting up at city parks and beaches under a new law, something that Hawaii County has imposed at its beaches and parks since 2008.

For smokers trying to kick the unhealthy habit, Oahu’s new outdoor ban just might be that needed nudge toward quitting. Another source of help might be the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline’s new campaign, which has a new website (www.hawaii-quitline.org) and new online coaching program.

The online coaching joins the existing telephone program at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Both programs are available 24/7, are confidential and are free to all Hawaii residents regardless of insurance. New year, better habits.

Making tax policy real for taxpayers

A discussion of tax policy can be an arcane exercise. Not so for Lowell Kalapa.

The president of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, who died on Monday, understood that talking about taxes meant talking about human behavior.

He offered a skeptical retort to politicians who thought they could raise money by raising certain taxes. Raise the hotel room tax? A frugal tourist will spend less on souvenirs. Raise the tax on cigarettes, alcohol and tobacco? Customers will shop more selectively, if at all. Raise the general excise tax? Not unless you want every person on the economic food chain, from wholesaler to shopper, to pay the price.

Kalapa’s clear voice could be heard everywhere, from the Legislature to the news columns, because he could be understood by those most affected by tax policy — that is, all of us.