Saturday, September 30, 2006

ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands Dr Orlando Smith says the BVI is not unique in its steps towards imposing a ban on smoking in public places in the territory.

The Chief Minister's comments in his weekly update to the territory this week. He said many countries around the region and the wider world are taking similar measures to save the lives and protect their citizens from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

His comments come just one week after government introduced the first reading of the Tobacco and Control Products bill in the Legislative Council.

For example, he said a ban on smoking in public places in Germany, particularly public buildings, is expected to become effective in 2007, smoke-free legislation is now due to be introduced in England in summer 2007, which will mean that almost all enclosed public places and workplaces are to be entirely smoke-free and siimilar measures have already taken effect in Spain.

The Chief Minister said closer to home, Puerto Rico has passed a law to eliminate smoking in all public places as well as in private cars with children aboard; while the authorities in Bermuda have voted by a large margin to ban smoking in every indoor public space.

The Chief Minister, who is also a medical doctor, said he is aware, in light of his background in medicine, that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in many countries and because of this dangerous habit thousands of people die needlessly each year.

He said smoking is a major cause of cancers of the lung, larynx, oral cavity, pharynx, and the esophagus. "The habit is also a contributing factor in the development of cancers of the bladder, pancreas, liver, uterine cervix, kidney, stomach, colon, rectum, and some types of leukemia," the Chief Minister said.

According to the Chief Minister, "these ailments are bad enough when they afflict those who volunteer to indulge in the negative habit of smoking.''

Those ailments are even harder to accept when they affect persons who are victims of second hand smoke, as scientific research has now conclusively shown that second-hand smoke from cigarettes can be harmful to the health of all those who are exposed to it.'

The Chief Minister in his address said with banning smoking in public places, the Tobacco Products Control Bill is seeking to take strong steps to ensure that tobacco retailers are limited in their ability to attract our people to try their harmful product, as the Bill makes provisions for new restrictions on the sale and marketing of cigarettes along with a strong ban on any attempt to target advertising towards the youth.

Dr Smith said smoking rates in the Territory have always been low and that in itself is a testament to the good sense and strong morals of the people that have traditionally rejected this unhealthy habit. But he said as with so many other areas of life changes occur, some of which are not necessarily for the better. This habit, he said, is definitely not for the better.

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version