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What’s up with the year-end smoking ban?

12/12/2008

By Regina Selman

Will the recent Cabinet reshuffle have any effect on Government’s proposal to ban smoking in public places by year end?

That’s the question some persons, including myself, would like answered. Now I don’t believe in being hasty when it comes to certain matters, but with this issue, I beg to differ, since such a move in Barbados is long overdue. Now, last week I wrote about wanting to see a transformed QEH and I was happy to hear the new Health Minister talk about plans to get things rolling in that aspect. Now, in moving forward to today, I have a great desire to hear something about the year-end smoking ban proposed earlier this year, though by another health minister.

It was in September this year that the former health minister noted that by January 1st 2009, it will be illegal to smoke in public places in Barbados. It was further stated that “the ministry is now awaiting completion of the legislative process in this regard”. The minister was said to have set a timetable of New Year’s Day, to have the legislation enacted and the smoking ban in place. It was reported that in enacting such legislation, Barbados would then fall in line with the provisions of the international “Framework Convention on Tobacco Control”, a global pact which the nation signed and which focuses global attention on the dangers of tobacco smoking, in particular second-hand tobacco smoke. Is all of this on the back burner? I hope not. I hope it’s just a case of the wheels turning a bit slower, as the ministry changes hands.

Officials in the local Health Ministry have also outlined their commitment to having sound legislation regarding smoking in public places. The Ministry has pointed to a survey completed on the behalf of the Ministry of Health, to examine
public perceptions to new legislation prohibiting smoking in bars, restaurants and rum shops. The survey gave in-depth insight and it showed that Barbadians were well aware of the potential harmful effects of second hand tobacco smoke and its effect on producing ill health.
The Ministry also reported that there was general support for a widespread and overarching legislative ban on tobacco smoking, from patrons, employees and proprietors alike and noted that this gives even stronger support for comprehensive legislation, banning tobacco smoking in all public places. I know that the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados has also played a useful advocacy role in this area and must be commended as well.

Now to my experience. I had to pass through the City this week for an assignment and in passing through Swan Street, I had to duck and weave those with cigarettes and other narcotics. I even had to evade one man who was puffing smoke leisurely from his pipe, into the face of passers-by. For those trying their best to take care of their respiratory health, this presents a great headache. I also met a gentleman recently, who outlined to me that he had not had an asthma attack in 17 years, but had to seek treatment after being exposed to second hand smoke while on the job. His record years went up in smoke, literally. Isn’t it time we do something about smoking in public places and fast? We can then talk about banning indiscriminate burning of refuse across the country, at a later date. I personally stand ready to lobby for such.

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as of close 9/15/2009


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