Jamaica: Ferguson Bats for Ban on Public Smoking

Source from:  Jamaica Gleaner (jm)  05/10/2013

Health Minister, Dr Fenton Ferguson, is calling for public support and understanding as he moves to institute a ban on smoking in public spaces.

He says the country must act now given the impact of smoking on young people.

Quoting statistics from the 2010 Global Youth Tobacco Survey undertaken by the National Council on Drug Abuse, Ferguson noted that 40.4 per cent of 13-15 year olds have smoked at least once.

He notes that at least 19.4 per cent of those who have ever smoked were under 10 years old.

Ferguson says he's not adopting an anti-smoker stance but he has a duty as Health Minister to protect the Nation's health.

He says the smoking ban is in keeping with the Health Ministry's strategic plan to combat the scourge of lifestyle related diseases such as cancers and cardio-vascular disease.

Ferguson was speaking yesterday as he opened the Health and Wellness expo of Clan Carthy Primary school. Enditem