A ban on smoking in public places has been signed into law by Hawaii's governor, the Hawaii Reporter reported July 10.

"It was not long ago when we believed that nonsmoking sections in restaurants or on airplanes were sufficient to keep secondhand smoke away from nonsmokers. We now have concrete research about the serious dangers of secondhand smoke," said Gov. Linda Lingle, herself a former smoker. "We also know that tobacco is a leading cause of preventable death in Hawaii, therefore, it is critical that we do all we can to protect the health of our residents and visitors by providing public venues that are truly smoke-free."

Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr., said he didn't quit smoking until his father and grandfather died of cancer. "It took shocking events in my life to understand the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke and what tobacco use was doing to my health as well as the people around me," he said.

The ban passed the Hawaiian House and Senate with overwhelming support.