No cigars for minors
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) (Nation News)