Tobacco.org

Smoking law frustration builds 

There is growing frustration with the time it is taking government to pass and implement its Tobacco Law, which was meant to bring the Cayman Islands more into line with the Western world in its approach to smoking in public places.

Cayman Islands Cancer Society Medical Director, Dr. Sook Yin said the legislation seems to be languishing.

"Every day people are smoking and dying from this awful habit, which is so preventable. It is frustrating that we have this [proposed legislation] but it hasn't been put into action," she said.

"All around the world, this law has been passed. Even in India they have managed to get their act together."

Health Minister Anthony Eden, who has previously been a vocal proponent of anti-smoking measures, has not returned repeated calls from the Caymanian Compass over a period of months asking whether the legislation has been shelved. In the past three-weeks, Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts has also not responded to similar questions.

Jump to full article »