Public health officials concerned about smoking in public places

MONTEGO BAY, St. James — Public health officials in this neighborhood are concerned about the prevalence of smoking in public spaces and the impact of second- and third-hand smoke on residents.

Chief public health inspector for St James Shericka Lewis said discussions on the issue needed to be renewed, noting that some people had experienced “temporary memory loss” over the issue.

“What we’re seeing from the public health team is that all across the neighborhood people are indiscriminately smoking tobacco and tobacco products,” he told the St James Municipal Corporation’s monthly council meeting on Thursday.

“This is something the public health department is very concerned about, especially because we hold so many events and we see people casually smoking on the road,” Lewis added.

The regulation, published in 2013 and amended in 2014, creates the legal framework for smoking in public spaces. Lewis emphasized the importance of following the rules.

“The danger of smoking comes from inhaling chemical compounds, some of which are found in tobacco and some of which are formed during the combustion of tobacco,” he said.

“Tobacco smoke is a toxic mixture of more than 7,000 chemicals; at least 70 of them can cause cancer. There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke; “All cigarettes are harmful,” he explained.

He also warned about the dangers of indirect exposure to these chemicals.

“Secondhand cigarette smoking is more dangerous and more toxic for the secondhand smoker than for people who actually smoke,” the public health worker said.

He also warned about the danger of third-hand smoke in the air.

Lewis reminded of the actions that can be taken against those who ignore the rules at the meeting.

A person can be fined up to $10,000 for a first offense, while the maximum fine for a second offense is $25,000; a third offense carries a fine of up to $50,000.

Facility owners and operators will face harsher penalties.

“In the case of a business or company — and this includes clubs, tourist businesses, bars, restaurants and other businesses — (the penalty is) a fine of up to $1 million,” Lewis said.

However, he pointed out that the law gives some permissions to people who want to smoke in public places.

“There are special provisions for smoking areas in workplaces, but there are certain conditions under which they must be approved for this. “For more detailed information, businesses that want to have a smoking area can contact the Public Health Directorate,” he said.

However, Councilor Charles Sinclair Jr (Jamaica Labor Party, Montego Bay North West Division) objected to what he said was disparity in legislation regulating smoking in public spaces.

He noted the differences between the rules that apply to smoking cigarettes, which can be purchased legally, and those that apply to smoking cannabis, which has stricter rules on purchase and possession.

Sinclair, who is also a Government senator, framed his comments in the context of areas governed by local authorities. He pointed to the Catherine Hall Sports Complex, where people sometimes openly smoke marijuana.

“Smoke from smoke affects people just like cigarettes. “Smoking is especially disturbing at these events,” he said.

He emphasized that neither he nor anyone in his house smoked, but he believed impartiality was necessary.

“The playing field has to be level and there has to be fairness in what we do, otherwise we create certain kinds of divisions in this country. “We have to be fair,” he continued.

Lawyer Sinclair stated that “an administration in this country has created a very strange situation” by passing the law on smoking in 2014, and argued that he had no problem implementing the law, but that more should be done. It is done to help individuals understand the consequences of their actions.

“We created this division, and I want to know about it, because I got the impression from the presentation that you want to ensure that these things are implemented,” he told Lewis.

“There is nothing wrong with this (legislation regulating smoking in public places) because it is the law and we must educate our public that smoking is not good. But I’m just saying: Let’s do the education, because there is a misunderstanding about what public space is. “They say you can’t smoke in the building, but if you go outside the building (about six feet or metres) aren’t you still in a public place?” he asked.