What about the sensitisation campaign for tobacco law?

We reported earlier this week that the Tobacco Control Legislation in Guyana is expected to take full effect now that the grace period has expired. It could be recalled that, amidst much concerns expressed by the private sector, in particular the tobacco industry, the coalition Government pushed through a Tobacco Control Bill in July of 2017. The remainder of 2017 — up until December 11 — was meant to be a grace period wherein health officials were supposed to carry out an aggressive awareness campaign to familiarise the general public about the provisions of the new law. However, it is not certain to what extent this was done; from all indications, not much was done, as the campaign was not that visible.
Whenever a new law is being introduced, especially in this case, where the provisions of the law would have such a huge impact on the population, it is the duty of the Government to carry out the necessary sensitisation campaign, so that persons would be well aware of how they would be affected. Many persons, especially those who use tobacco products, are still not fully au fait with the new law, and would certainly find themselves in trouble due to ignorance. The Government should have actively involved all stakeholders, including the media as a key partner, in an effort to ensure that citizens are fully aware of the provisions within the law.
The Tobacco Control Legislation prohibits the smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco products, such as cigars, in certain public places. There are huge fines for persons found guilty of breaking the law. For instance, persons could face a fine of up to Gy$20,000 each time after being caught committing the offence the first time. Offenders caught on the first occasion will be liable, on summary conviction, to pay a fine of Gy$10,000.
According to the new law, no person shall be permitted to smoke in any waiting area or queue in a public place, including, but not limited to, any public transport stop, bus stand or bus park. As it stands, smoking is also prohibited in any park, playground or amusement park; any stadium, arena, or any kind of sport or performance place, or any space for commercial service of food or drinks.
It is also now illegal for persons to smoke in any area within five metres of a window, door or ventilation inlet to any public place or indoor work place. Smoking is also prohibited anywhere on the premises of, or within five metres from, the outside boundary of any healthcare, educational, or child care facility. Of importance, too, is that the legislation seeks to clamp down on advertising campaigns that have been launched by tobacco companies over the years.
There are many other aspects of the legislation which citizens must be educated about. It is therefore our hope that even though the law is now supposed to be fully implemented, the authorities would continue to sensitise persons not only about the new law, but also the dangers of tobacco use and the effects it is having on communities throughout the country. For example, the Word Health Organisation (WHO) has pointed out that tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world faces, killing more than 7 million people a year. Health experts have agreed that action to stamp out tobacco use can help countries prevent millions of people falling ill and dying from tobacco-related diseases, combat poverty, and reduce large-scale environmental degradation.
Guyana has indeed made a positive move to implement strong tobacco control measures. Certainly, tobacco control represents a powerful tool in improving health in communities, and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By taking robust tobacco control measures, the Government will be one step closer to safeguarding our country’s future: by protecting tobacco users and non-users from these deadly products, generating revenues to fund health and other social services, and saving the environment from the ravages tobacco causes