Comprehensive legislation to address the devastating effects of tobacco consumption in Jamaica will soon be tabled in the House of Representatives, reports Jamaica Observer.

According to a press release, the Tobacco Control 2020 Bill will, among other things, impose restrictions on the marketing of tobacco products as well as prohibit the sale to children. Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton said that the legislation is now at the committee stage and that he is “happy to report that we are well advanced in that process".
“I expect over the next month, six weeks maybe, to table the comprehensive Bill, and I urge my colleagues to quickly pass this Bill for the protection of the Jamaican people and to reduce the cost of treatment," he said.
Tufton informed that the bill will also prohibit the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems such as e-cigarettes in public spaces. "I am particularly keen about that because in our school system, we have observed a trend that our students are now using these electronic cigars, looking like a pen and a pencil, and it is corrupting them in more ways than one. So, I look forward to the legislation being very strong on that and support for reducing dependence," he said.