…PAHO, gov’t tell citizens Tobacco legislation good for them

PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow is anticipating the passage of the Tobacco Bill in the National Assembly.

Last Thursday, the Tobacco Control Bill was read in the National Assembly for the first time before House by Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence. Describing it a historic move, Dr. Adu-Krow said the bill was long in the pipeline dating back to 2008. It was conceptualised by the former Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

In its current form, the bill provides for the adoption and implementation of tobacco control policies in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The legislation will also serve as the legal regulator for administration, inspection and enforcement, while providing legislative protection from exposure to second-hand smoke by eliminating public smoking. It will clear the way for the establishment of a National Tobacco Control Council.

Speaking briefly on the bill, while at the Occupational Safety and Health Workshop on Monday, Dr. Adu-Krow said while some persons are objecting to the clause which paves the way for smoking to be prohibited within private homes once persons are employed therein, there should be no trespassing of people’s rights. “For me the answer is clear. My rights end where someone’s rights begin. There should not be any overriding of rights,” he posited.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, reminded that Government is committed to preserving its greatest resource: its human capital. “It is an indisputable fact that a healthy population positively impacts on the wealth of a nation. Therefore, we must constantly seek ways to further protect, preserve, and enhance the health and wellbeing of our citizens in every sphere of life,” she posited while underscoring the importance of the Tobacco Bill 2017.

The legislation, she underscores, will significantly reduce the exposure of citizens to tobacco smoke. “One great element of this Bill will be the banning of smoking indoors. As simple as that sounds, banning indoor smoking will immediately create a plethora of safe spaces. The reduction in the exposure of our citizens to harmful second-hand tobacco smoke will surely, in a large measure, preserve their lungs and ultimately their lives, especially since research has conclusively revealed that tobacco kills,” she explained.

“The implementation of this Bill is a major concrete way of protecting our citizens, while maintaining clean healthy work spaces,” Minister Cummings added.
Tobacco control has been a worrying issue in Guyana. No data has been made public on how many persons die from smoking every year locally, but according to the WHO, tobacco kills more than half of its users globally. Worrying was the fact that the Global Youth Tobacco Survey found that 21 per cent of students aged 13-15 smoke or had smoked in Guyana.