Health Ministry seeking legislation to protect Dominicans and visitors against ills of tobacco smoke

​Dominica’s Health Ministry is seeking legislation to protect Dominicans and visitors against the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. That’s the word from Chief Medical Officer Dr David Johnson.
 
He made that disclosure at the launch of Caribbean Wellness Day 2017 on Friday, 1st September 2017, at the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) Conference Room at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).
 
Draft instructions are being created with the technical assistance from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), to be presented to the Attorney General’s Chambers to seek Cabinet’s decision to enact proposed legislation.
 
Dr Johnson noted that “At a time when there is an increased prevalence of Non Communicable Diseases, increase in violence and injuries, mental illnesses, effects of climate change on health and emerging and re-emerging diseases, there is no better time to bring the public and the private sector at the table to identify gaps and develop strategies to strengthen the health system than now”.
 
He beseeched both sectors and the Dominican population at large to participate in the activities organized under the Caribbean Wellness Day, and closely follow the day’s theme, ‘Love That body, #GetFitDon’tQuit.’