... Gov’t provides support to persons trying to quit
In the last Global Student-based School Health Survey 2017, 65.6 per cent of students 13-15 years old reported that people smoked in their presence on one or more days. Women and children are most vulnerable and at risk from the health effects of second-hand smoke.
Although there is no single intervention that can reduce the risks to heart health by tobacco use, Jamaica continues to implement measures in keeping with best practice and treaty obligations: protection from tobacco smoke with the promulgation of the Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations 2013 and its 2014 amendments. These include a ban on smoking in indoor workplaces, public spaces and public transport, graphic health warnings on tobacco products, among other measures.
“We have also raised excise taxes on tobacco products, educated Jamaicans on the health effects of tobacco smoke with a focus on youth, provided support for persons that want to quit smoking through our health facilities,” said Dr Tamu Davidson, the director of non-communicable diseases at the Ministry of Health.
These interventions they have done through partnership with government agencies, non-governmental groups, civil society, professional groups, faith-based groups, academia, the private sector, international partners and the wider support of all Jamaicans.