Categories
· Teen Smoking/Youth
· Cessation
· Tobacco Control
non-USA, by Country
· Trinidad And Tobago
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...T&T needs $20m start-up to help curb smoking
Jump to full article: Trinidad Guardian (tt), 2009-11-29
Author: Peter Balroop
Intro: Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society chairman Dr George Laquis estimates the Government needs to put out a start-up capital of $20 million to provide a comprehensive programme to curb tobacco smoking in T&T. The society, which has been at the forefront in the fight against tobacco usage because of the risk of contracting cancer, was prepared to be of assistance to the State, and he expected the business community to chip in. But Laquis wants no financial help from West Indian Tobacco Company (Witco), the country’s sole cigarette manufacturer. “Witco should have no hand in this programme. Their motivation is simple...undermine what we do. “They pretend to be a good corporate citizen, but they are just vultures,” declared Laquis.
. . .
Asked if the State should subsidise the “patch,” which is affixed to the skin and doles out steadily decreasing doses of nicotine that is the main cause of smoking addiction, Laquis said in reality the patch was not very efficient, in effect “half-way nonsense.” And there are other tried and tested medical routes to assist smokers to quit, he indicated. He mentioned the use of lasers, acupuncture and drugs like Zaiban and Chantix. . . .
According to Laquis, the State needs to invest at least $20 million in a smoking prevention programme, hiring professionals like psychologists to encourage youth to stop the habit, or stay away from it if they have not yet been hooked. “That is the cheapest money the State will ever spend.
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