The Roosevelt Skerrit-led Cabinet could soon approve legislation to ban smoking in public places and the labeling and advertising of tobacco.
The legislation, which aims at reducing the high level of Chronic Non Communicable Diseases (CNCD) in Dominica, has already been drafted, according to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Helen Royer.
“The Minister for Health intends to submit the legislation to Cabinet and eventually to Parliament,” she said.
Royer said several other measures have been undertaken by government to continue in its fight against CNCD’s in Dominica.
“An increase in tax was applied on tobacco products from 45 to 75 percent in the fiscal budget. From 2010, the prime minister granted public officers one hour per day to participate in physical activity at no cost to them, sad to say not many are taking advantage of this offer,” she said.
A policy on nutrition is also in its final stages while a school health and nutrition policy is in its first draft, Royer indicated.
In 2014, the Ministry of Health will conduct a survey which identifies trends in STD and risk factor prevalence.
Royer said while the Ministry of Health has conducted “much”, there is still a lot more that could be done.
It’s over a year. Any update on this? I may have missed it.
What about the drunken pigs who shout obscene remarks at women walking with their young children at 9am, are we going to do something about that?
Grownups should be able to make their own choices, even unhealthy ones. If people want to smoke cigarettes, it’s a foolish decision, but it should be their decision to make. I understand the argument that people smoking in public areas are affecting the air breathed by others around them, and in that sense I can see the argument for this.
But when people go further and talk about regulating sugary drinks or alcohol, they have crossed the line beyond which there is only a nanny state that is taking away freedom, and this should be steadfastly opposed.
very good move PM; HURRY, HURRY, HURRY
SOME PUBLIC SMOKERS HAVE NO MANNERS AT ALL
Way-to-go Guys
Taking a page off Bloomberg’s book..
Bravooooo….
Excellent move for the overall protection of health and life. Canada has implemented this a long time ago. These days I seldom see people with a cigarette in their mouths. No smoking in public places, offices, other buildings as resident ones, stores, elevators, escalators, near bus stops, buses, subways and in front of same. This is good discipline for smokers and to assist them to blow the habit and refrain from smoking which will destroy not only their health but that of others who inhale those fumes.
God knows how many people worldwide who have died due to cigarette and tobacco smoking and smoke, for those who did not smoke but who inhaled the fume. Some spouses who never smoked died from “second-hand smoking.” Employees who never smoked but who inhaled those fumes daily also contracted lung problems and some eventually died from it. It is a serious matter.
Cigarette and tobacco smoking have also been the cause of many deaths. Some people fall asleep while smoking. Lucky for those who escaped, were not injured and did not die. However, there are some people who were badly burned to the point of disfiguration. Some may have been paralyzed and must use a wheel- chair for the rest of their life.
Consider the loss of faculties and property. When a fire occurs, if it is not contained, it could travel from house to house. The cost and to the insurance company for those buildings which are insured is exorbitant.
First and second hand smoke are killers. The fume is abnormal. Many people have developed lung problems due to this. Many have died prematurely. Their medical treatment and hospitalization expense have been a financial strain on the government in places where the medical cost is covered.
We must take care of our health and also not contaminate the air. We speak of preserving the earth and clean air, exhaust and cigarette fumes have destroyed the earth and our health.
good move by mr pm but still there is alot more to
be done'”to stop smoking,there no work,no money,and most of all no fature for the kids so tell me how is this going stop?
Even that dem man against.Just read some of the NAGATIVE comments and you shall know who they are!
They always BLUE vex.
Good move…Smoking is not good.
Very good move by the Government that taking to long we tired inhale the smpke of the filthy smelling cigarrette.and the littering with the stubs around the villages good work stop them from spreading their cancer to inocent none smokers.
Smokers please don’t be mad at the new legislation. I know it’s not easy to stop a bad habbit, but it’s for your own good. The pm and other cabinet members are only trying to save you from destroying yourself and others around you.
Thats an easy target.
A more difficult one is obesity and diabetes.
Thats where we will see who is who.
The people who in the main sell the poisonous sugary drinks and fast food are way bigger than the people doing tobacco.
Which technically means nothing will happen.
Hope that legislation will include arrest and prosecution for those who give or sell to minors.Or else it will be a waste of the paper it will be written on.
Hope it does not go the way of the Litter act and the noise abatement act.
They should also include in the Bill,the banning of cigarette production within the confines of cities,towns and villages or in close proximity of homes,schools,offices etc.They should demand the relocation of the Tobacco factory from the confines of Roseau proper where it is currently located to somewhere else like Hillsborough Estate away from the polluting effects and probable health issues it has on people/residences in the area.Mr.Emanuel(Moneygod) always complained about the tobacco smell affecting his breathing/home air quality that he had to give up staying at his house and relocate to Goodwill.I know of other persons who have complained about that problem for decades.Back then persons weren’t aware of the effects of tobacco,but we know how bad it is and the costs it places on society so I recommend quick action on that….give them tax break if necessary to help them relocate,but make them move.This is not the place to have a cigarette making factory located.
Wow one hour a day for exercise? Was that Parry Bellot recommendation. So really civil servants are to work 35 hours a week. No wonder why Thomas Letang took 1.5 % pay increase?
Job well done Parry Bellot at least they took your advise ( annal or la bass as it seems). But then again hw can Parry complain about the lack of production yet SKERRIT decide to cut production hours from 40 to 35 per week. Let us sing the national anthem -” everything s upside down, après le terre se Bondieur. Everything is inside out ”
As for banking smoking in public places – okay. Are we talking krazy coconut, parliament. I am not convince that second hand smoke is a big roblem in Dominica considering our population m economy etc. It is not lime we have bars and restuarants with massive turnover activities daily or even every weekend or week night. I am not implying that second and smoke is not a health hazard , i just do t think that we are at the stage where we should be fcused on sevond and smoke when we should be cleaning up the crack dealers, what about legislation to prevent littering , what about focusing on population growth, jobs, etc. we are busy copying Bloombergism when the basic and fundamental requirements for a civilized society are lacking in Dominca.
About time drinking alcohol should stop selling
At 2AM if I should say
we will just buy all what we want to drink at 1am
i second that move…
The way I see the ministers and advisors swelling up I know they are not following their own advise.
Remember ghost singing back in the UWP days the ministers neck getting fat well thse we have now their swollen , belly big, dimples like a geothermal bore hole , and abk account hidden in Kossovo. Like mike Doglas would say they swimming in butter
GREAT JOB!!!!
In the Reverse they need to de criminalise the Herb.
Cigs are cancer sticks, i always thought if more folks partake in the the higger grade of the healing of the nature, DA would be a brilliant island.
Look at Jamaica, Barbados to name a few, healing of the nation is what will enlighten Dominica
smoking is a curse on society,they get an hour for physical activity and they dont do it.shame on them,if its to drink rum they will thats why we have so many diabetics in society.
Great!
Mr prime minister before u ban no smoking in the public tobacco factory is between old street and Hanover street just 2 remind u but great idea
Tell our government we need more affordable health care and better service at the hospitals and health centers. Too many of our people are dieing, not so much from CNDC’s but from the high cost of unaffordable health care and services. People are afraid to face health care services private and public because of the high costs involved.
Good news… hope this comes to fruition…
This is one policy I support the government on. I pray it would be the first step to eliminate cigarettes from the society once and for all.
Step by step, the same should be done for alcohol as well. These are dangerous substances and no civil society need them.
I hope this is approved quickly. I’m fed up of going out and coming back home smelling like a chimney. These people who smoke have no manners, they are on the street walking as soon as they pass by you, poof right in your face with their exhaust.
Suck on your nasty cigarette, with your windows closed, or far from the community, once I cannot smell it. Kill yourself, leave me out.
Boy and the worse thing about it is, those that receiving the exhaust are the ones who suffer, that is just not fare, someone is not a smoker yet they get cancer of the lungs due to cigarette smoke.
hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!
And then enforcement.
Dominica as I know does not have a problem with smoking. I thing making legislation will just make it something to attain to. Where there is no law there is nothing to break, thus no bait.
You have got to be kidding!
Brilliant Legislation……………..