Friday, December 1, 2006

ROAD TOWN, BVI: Businesses, hoteliers and restaurants in the British Virgin Islands have six months to prepare for the ban on the use, advertising, and promotion of tobacco products in public places.

The Legislative Council, on November 14, unanimously passed the Tobacco Control Act banning smoking in public places in the BVI which provides a six-month grace period before the law goes into force.

Along with prohibiting smoking in offices, restaurants, bars and other such places, the Tobacco Control Act will regulate the promotion, distribution and use of tobacco products in the Territory.

Minister for Health and Social Development the Ronnie Skelton said the six-month grace period will allow for BVI business owners to be educated on their responsibilities as it relates to the legislation and put in place the necessary signs.

"We want the business community not only to participate but to police the environments so that the BVI is kept smoke free; therefore, we need to educate them on their roles. We as well want the members of the public to be aware of their rights as persons living and working in public places," he said.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development, through its Health Promotion Unit, will soon be launching a six-month education and awareness campaign with the help of the Pan American Health Organization. This will include the creation and distribution of a regulations handbook.

The regulations will include the different penalties for different categories of offences and include mechanisms for the payment of any fines. The law is expected to go into force in May 2007.

The BVI joins as many as 57 countries in embracing the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The convention essentially gives countries more tools to control tobacco use and save lives.

The Bermuda Senate passed a similar bill in February which will make all workplaces in the British Territory, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free beginning April 1.

Evidence show that the most effective measures to reduce tobacco use is regulatory in nature. Policy measures such as higher tobacco taxes, elimination of tobacco promotion, and the mandatory implementation of smoke-free environments in public places and workplaces have proven effective in reducing youth smoking and helping smokers quit.

Tobacco is becoming the one of the single largest causes of death worldwide and affects nearly every organ of the body.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, under which this initiative falls, serves as the focal point for leadership, legislation and policy direction in all operations relating to health and social welfare and promoting the physical, mental and social health of all persons in the Territory.

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