The passage of the Tobacco Bill 2009 in the Senate is a landmark achievement for this country, the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society stated yesterday.

In a media release, the Cancer Society thanked the Government for its commitment to the bill and senators for their support. The bill was passed in the Upper House at the Red House, Port of Spain, at 1 a.m. yesterday.

’Tobacco-control legislation is a great achievement for the society of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a clear indication that we are moving towards developed-nation status and sets us on track to achieving Vision 2020,’ the release said.

The society said all 34 countries featured on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) ’Advanced Economies’ list had tobacco-control legislation in place. In addition, the World Bank, in their 1999 report, ’The Economies of Tobacco Control’, states tobacco-control measures within a society are a crucial health component which benefits the economic development of the entire society.

’We have joined the ranks of these nations passing the Tobacco Control Bill. The passing of comprehensive tobacco-control legislation is truly a David and Goliath success story for the people of Trinidad and Tobago,’ the release said.

The release added the tobacco industry is known internationally for their strong lobby and extreme tactics to prevent the enactment of tobacco-control legislation.

’Our small community has taken on one of the most powerful industries in the world and has won. The passing of this legislation is particularly important to the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society as we have been fighting this for 40-plus years,’ it added. (Trinidad Express)