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No cigars for minors
Published on: 11/19/2009.
BARBADOS is outlawing the sale of cigarettes to people under age 18.
And in Government's tough, anti-smoking stance, even imitation cigarettes could land importers and vendors in court.
The House of Assembly on Tuesday approved a bill to amend the Health Services Act to make it illegal to sell cigarettes to "minors".
The bill was piloted by Minister of Health Donville Inniss, who said that even though just eight per cent of the population was deemed smokers, smoking was considered "the most important risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease and stroke".
Tobacco smoke also contained many cancer-causing compounds and toxins, he pointed out.
"It's not just that we are looking to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors, but we are also seeking to prohibit minors from selling tobacco products," Inniss explained.
He said the government was proposing that parents and guardians "be the one to pay the fine or to be responsible for sending the minor to counselling sessions, as the court may dictate."
The penalty would also hit those who sell the cigarette or otherwise offer it.
Inniss also spoke of people using imitation cigarettes "to lure our children into the habit" of smoking.
"We will be proposing that any person who imports, manufactures, sells, displays for sale, supplies or distributes any sweets, snacks, toys or other items or objects that imitate tobacco products is guilty of an offence," he disclosed.
He said Government had to go "the full gamut" in protecting young people.
Any vendor using cellphone merchandising facilities that would allow minors to procure cigarettes would also be breaking the law, he noted.
Inniss said too that it would be an offence to use a minor in ads promoting tobacco products for use in Barbados.
The bill garnered support from Government and opposition politicians. (TY)
11 comment found!
ban the sale of tobacco to minors in bim. : 11/19/2009
it should be banned. but whether you sell tobacco to them or not, they will smoke, drink and do everything they are big enough to do...because they can. this is the 21st century.
No cigars for minors : 11/19/2009
We should be embarrassed! That's nothing to brag about, that should have happened a long time ago! I remember when was nine, in England (about 25 years ago), playing over at a friend's house who parents owned an 'off licence'. The mum asked me to go downstairs and buy a package of smokes for her. Her husband wouldn't sell them to me, even though they were for his wife!!
We are truly behind in areas that matter. We need to get our priorities straight!
cigars : 11/19/2009
The minors in Barbados need go to and leave the cigars, and the weed.
no cigars for minors : 11/19/2009
what is wrong with bagans.Donville Innis now jumping on the bandwangon about baning tobaco products to minors,is there a problem with children smoking in bim.I grew up in Barbados,Idid not smoke as a child nor did the kids i grew up with.I am a man now and still dont smoke.I remember going to the shop for rum and cigarettes for adults in the comunity,yet I dont smoke or drink,there was no law that stop me,it was the same adults who sent me to the shop who was the deturent.I now live in the USA with all they laws and they are more children smokeing and drinking here than ever,so what will Mr Inniss law do?stop children who dont smoke from smoking,HA.
No cigars for minors : 11/19/2009
We have tougher drug laws and yet Employers have a hard time in finding locals who can pass a simple drug test to fill jobs on cruise liners. How are we going to enforce something that is so readily available as tobacco? Doods will be full of doods boyzs that's for sure.
Tobacco and children : 11/19/2009
We are becoming international. I can remember going to the shop, at age 5 and younger, and buying cigarettes for my grandfather, who could not get out. What is going to happen to the handicaps etc. Children have always purchased tobacco and alcoholic products for adults. Maybe being undereducated, we did not know that we could consume some of these products. Bajan abroad.
about time! : 11/19/2009
Well finally, it only took how long?? I remember going into "99 convenience store" when I was around 11 and buying beer and cigarettes for my parents. It was funny because it wasn't for me...but now I am a parent I would hope nobody would sell alcohol or cigarettes to my kids unless they showed ID.
: 11/19/2009
You don't have to sell them (minors). They don't have to purchase them. They will get them and use them as long as they want to, in the same way that they get other mind altering substances. Good health education and proper parenting are the essential factors.
retired
RUM : 11/19/2009
What about rum?
Very Good : 11/19/2009
That's what I like to hear! Tobacco is a filthy degenerate drug. Last thing we need is our youths to further degenerate, if that is in fact, actually possible.
Smoking ban : 11/19/2009
positive step in the right direction... but the real question is when will they BAN smoking indoors/in public places??? Us non-smoking adults would also like some protection Mr. Minister
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