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BAN TO BE IMPOSED ON SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
The announcement by the Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, of the ban to be imposed on smoking in public places, effective 1 October, 2010; has been well received by the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB).
The Congress views this as a positive development, and one which is consistent with the national promotion of healthy living amongst the populace.
As Barbados wrestles with the growing incidence of non communicable diseases, of which lung cancer is one of the common causes of death amongst smokers, the impact this has on removing able bodied persons from the work force and reducing levels of productivity are factors that can not be ignored.
Added to these is the pressure that the resulting illness places on families and the social services.
In giving support to the ban, CTUSAB reiterated its position as reflected in its Statement of Policies Document (2006) on Tobacco Products, which reads,
“CTUSAB believes that it is in the public’s interest if efforts are made to educate Barbados, especially the youth, about the dangers of tobacco and tobacco smoke.
CTUSAB urges the Government to introduce such measures, consistent with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as will ensure that all buildings and places in which public business is conducted are free of tobacco smoke.
CTUSAB urges the private sector to adopt such policies and practices as will result in a reduction of exposure to tobacco smoke”.
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