Barbados’ clampdown on smoking in public places starts today, with Minister of Health Donville Inniss urging Bajans to comply with the new regulations.
Inniss told the WEEKEND NATION: “This exercise is not about trying to lock up people or close down places that don’t comply.
“It is about creating a healthier Barbados, about helping people generally to take better care of their health and not adversely impacting the health of those around them, with second-hand smoke.”
There was no plan to have “smoking police” checking bars, restaurants, shops and other public places at all hours of the day and night to see if people were smoking there, he pointed out.
“But there are laws in place and people who break them can expect to face the courts,” he said.
Inniss announced the ban last October. The ban is backed up by a threat of monetary fines and prison terms for smokers as well as proprietors who fail to stop people lighting up on their property.
Smokers found guilty of breaking the regulations may face a $500 fine or a 12-month prison term – or both.
It’s going to be a lot tougher for proprietors found guilty of allowing people to smoke in a public place. They could be fined $5 000 or be imprisoned for 12 months – or both.
Inniss said yesterday that there had been widespread local, CARICOM and Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) support for the ban.
He said that some business places had complained that the ban could result in sharply reduced purchasing by smokers, triggering a layoff of staff.
“I say to those people, that is a lot of baloney and possibly scare tactics which don’t move me at all.
“There is evidence to the contrary that where businesses enforce a no-smoking ban more people tend to patronise them.
“But for those businesses raising this concern I am prepared to go to them and sit down and work out a marketing plan as well as a business plan to help,” the minister said.
The Ministry of Health, rather than the Royal Barbados Police Force, is listed as the lead agency for enforcing the ban. (TY)
