Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. David Johnson, has revealed that the Ministry is undergoing a process of formalizing legislation that seeks to protect the Dominican population and visitors against the ills of tobacco smoke.
He made the revelation at the launch of Caribbean Wellness Day 2017 on Friday, September 1st, 2017 at the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) Conference Room at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Johnson said with the technical assistance from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), draft instructions are being created to present to the Attorney General Chambers for implementing the cabinet’s decision to follow through with the new legislation.
“I must inform you that, with technical assistance from the Pan American Health Organisation, the Ministry is in the process of developing drafted instructions for submission to the Office of the Attorney General Chambers for implementing the cabinet decision to enact legislation for the protection of the Dominican public and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke,” he said.
He stressed that considering the number of different negative issues that society must deal with, health being a major component, the private and public sector must foster stronger relationship in creating a healthier nation.
“At a time when there is an increased prevalence of Non Communicable Diseases, increase in violence and injuries, mental illnesses, effects of climate change on health and emerging and re-emerging diseases, there is no better time to bring the public and the private sector at the table to identify gaps and develop strategies to strengthen the health system than now,” he stated.
He encouraged both sectors and the Dominican population by extension to participate in the activities organised under the Caribbean Wellness Day launch, and follow closely the day’s theme ‘Love That body, #GetFitDon’tQuit.’
So what about the tobacco factory in the middle of Roseau and so close to the cruise ship berth?!
Good point. That should be relocated out of town, somewhere close to the shore so the prevailing wind can carry any dangerous dust and fumes away over the sea.
More laws more corrupt the state
This is a bunch of psyco babble , the solution is simple , put a high taxes on tobacco and no one under 21 years of age should be allow to purchase cigarette and tobacco product, no smoking in public places like bars , hospital, stores, excetra period, all the other nonsense he is talking about is just hot air coming out of his mouth, another of skerro cronies .
David, it is one thing to indulge in rhetorical nonsense which produces no real answer. I could not care what legislation; or what law you create; even if you ban the importation of cigarettes, and tobacco from the country, people will still find something to smoke.
What about marijuana, and cocaine?
When I was a kid in the 1950’s, poor people who could not a afford to buy the locally manufactured, or imported cigarettes, they substitute what we called basket-bone for cigarettes. To those not familiar with the term basket-bone, be informed it the material the Carib Indians used as the frame to weave baskets products.
It is a very toxic material to smoke; maybe if you will return to that. Instead of indulging in the nonsense you are speaking, you as a doctor, if you are; you should implement an educational program designed to educate the nation of the medical dangers involve in smoking.
Tell me how are you going to protect a visitor to the country from smoke, who lives…
Continue:
Tell me how are you going to protect a visitor to the country from smoke, who lives in countries where their country is polluted with smoke, and all other sort of toxin? In the United States, in a State like California, in some cities like Los Angeles, it is illegal to smoke in government buildings, however you can go on the outside and smoke.
Tell you what in most hotels the have none smoking areas, and separate smoking areas too, there are none smoking rooms also. I do not smoke, so when I am traveling, or go to Las Vegas, on checking into the hotel, I tell the receptionist, I do not want a room in which people smoke, a clean and fresh is assigned to me.
So, law’s does not help, and cannot help, you can only educate people about the health risks involved even in the inhalation of secondhand smoke; but I cannot think of any legislation you create that will protect people from smoke, that’s nonsense!
What would really help the island is a drug rehab program for addicts.
Love your body indeed. However, we must not forget that we are made up of three (3), Spirit, Soul and Body.
Yes we are to love our bodies, but we MUST also love our Spirit and our Soul.
We are to feed our bodies with healthy meals, but also we are to FEED our Spirit and Soul healthily also.
It is therefore the lack thereof that is the reason for this increase in Non Communicable disease, including mental illness.
God’s WORD states clearly, that Man does not live by bread ONLY, but by every WORD, that comes out from HIS MOUTH. Again it is clear that eating a healthy meal only accounts to 1/3 of who we are. Taking care of the Spirit and will certainly take care of the 2/3 and make man truly WHOLE.
“….legislation against tobacco smoke…”
Finally !!
Now legalize the other stuff.
I do applaud this. Non-smokers should not be subjected to the harmful effects so called “second hand” smoke from those who indulge in smoking. I hope that smoking get bannedin all public places and fines imposed for breaching that order. And yes, I do include marijuana in this, not on any moral grounds but simply because all smoking is unhealthy.
I’m not a fan of legislation on these matters. Everyone already knows that smoking is bad for you. Adults should be able to make their own choices whether to smoke or not.
Steve, this is not so much for dedicated smokers but to ,protect those, who are forced to inhale these tobacco fumes when smoking is permitted in public places. Yes, let people smoke in their own environment, the law does not stop that but protect others who do not wish to share this smoke.
There are 2500 health diseases directly related to smoking all very serious, and when alcohol use is added, you have long term epidemic. this should be part of the school curriculum from primary upwards.. The private sector didn’t come to the table on their own, it took major court litigations in the USA, , to force them to adhere, does the Dominica gov’t have the fortitude to do like wise? the greatest of all killers in the developing countries, is tobacco and alcohol. Case closed.
Its about time, good news …please move quickly on this.
Dr Johnson , it is a laudable effort but I do not observe many smokers in Dominica.What I do observe is an over abundance of alcoholics. One just has to take part in Carnival or any village feast to observe the excessive consumption of alcohol with no regard for road safety. It would be interesting to compare the stats on death from tobacco smoking versus death from excessive consumption of alcohol resulting in vehicular accidents violence and death .Frequent bars during the day or night and u will observe our men like bees around a honey pot.This problem I think is more urgent than tobacco smoking in my opinion.
Man i hate when people who dont smoke act like they better than you. you not no better than me and if you dont like my smoke come out around me. And dont ask me why i smoking for either, i dont ask you why you drinking, or fornicating or doing whatever vice you enjoy. I respect that i shouldnt smoke indoors and i dont, but if i want to smoke a cigarette in peace dont complain about my smoke.
Great, it is time for people to stop smoking in the face of others and they also need to address people burning; anything, anywhere, anytime and the havoc that it is causing to children and adults suffering of breathing problems..
Legislation for the protection of the Dominican public and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke,” he said. This is pure rubbish. You cannot pass laws to control everything, if someone is smoking tobacco why don’t you just move away from them.
the number of different negative issues that society must deal with, health being a major component, the private and public sector must foster stronger relationship in creating a healthier nation.
Pure rubbish again, i have no responsibility for anyone health but my own. What happen to individual responsibility? I will not participate as i take care of my help and don’t need people telling me what to do.