An old debate is sure to be blown about in the Cayman Islands when legislation is tabled to curb smoking in public.
Plans are to get public input on the legislation and then present a bill to members of the Legislative Assembly in March 2006.
The legislation will come from Health Minister Anthony Eden.
We commend him for taking on this overwhelming task of not only limiting smoking, but keeping constituents happy.
The legislation is needed, he said, to show our support for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control because we a party to it through the United Kingdom.
The public and private sector participants who are helping draft the legislation already have some good ideas.
They want to prohibit people younger than 18 from buying and selling tobacco. It’s a good idea and one whose time has come.
Their idea of ensuring health warnings are on all cigarette packages sold in the Cayman Islands is a good one, but we’re not sure it’s practical.
Cigarettes sold in the Cayman Islands come from all over the world. A quick review of cigarette packs at a bar or store show the smokes come from everywhere and not all countries require health warnings on their cartons or packs.
A suggestion will be made to limit access to tobacco products by, for example, concealing tobacco products from view in retail outlets. Many retailers are already doing a pretty good job at this.
Cigarette smuggling into the Cayman Islands should definitely be stopped, but the committee is going to have to come up with some creative ways to put an end to it.
While not actually smuggling, smokers are already allowed to bring a certain amount of cigarettes to Cayman. It’s not unusual for them to entice their non-smoking friends, spouses or relatives to also bring smokes in.
One of the most daunting challenges the anti-smoking legislation delegation faces will be its efforts to prohibit smoking in indoor public and private workplaces as well bars and buses.
The debate of anti-smoking’s effect on bars, restaurants and tourism overall is one that will rage for many years.
Careful thought must be given before telling the owner of a restaurant or bar what is and isn’t allowed on his premises. And we’re sure the group will indulge in much discussion with the tourism pros in the Cayman Islands.
It’s an issue that’s been aired before.
Maybe this time we can come up with a law that is good for all.
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