It is no secret that tobacco smoking and tobacco smoking related illnesses account for thousands of deaths annually throughout the world. Although some governments have introduced measures to put the brakes on the habit, it is believed that more drastic actions should be taken which should lead to a complete ban on smoking in public places.

This is the road our Ministry of Health is contemplating in an all-out effort to rid Guyana of the dreaded smoking habit. We believe that although slapping a ban on tobacco smoking in public places may have consequences on the economy, it is equally important to look to the health of citizens on the whole.

It is also noted that smokers contribute towards slashing their home budgets at the expense of food items and necessary medications and other basic necessities which are so important for the healthy up-bringing of family members. Even in some cases, cigarettes are at the top of some persons’ grocery lists. We believe this is wrong and should not be entertained, and Health Minister Ramsammy’s intention to look at legislation to ban smoking in public places is a move in the right direction.

We are too young a nation with a relatively small population of just under one million, to permit 18 percent smokers to contaminate the lives of 82 percent through the even more dangerous secondary smoking.

There is no question about it. We are a nation on the move. If we have to take certain actions which might seem to be unpopular although in the interest of the health of the nation, then so be it.

We support the Minister’s call on the public to begin the debate and join the advocacy on encouraging people to stop smoking. It is clear that the Health Minister is quite serious about this matter and is prepared to take it up at the Cabinet level as long as Guyanese are prepared to discuss the issue with the desired goal of getting smokers to “ kick the habit” once and for all.

Smoking is indeed a big issue and it needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner with an aim of bringing positive results — results which could make us proud as a small nation.

We need to start oiling the wheel and set country-wide discussions on the matter in motion with the hope of providing Health Ministry Leslie Ramsammy with the necessary clout to have the matter legislated.

We must be mindful of our health and that of our immediate neighbours. Let us, as concerned citizens form a human link across Guyana in the crusade against smoking. Providing such a link would contribute tremendously in getting people to understand the deleterious effects of smoking in public places and indeed the dangers that smoking on a whole pose to the lives of persons.

Recognising the seriousness of the substance, the Health Minister said: “I believe it is such a deadly substance, and affects the health of our people, not only those who smoke, but everyone else. We as a country need to become active in this advocacy”.

It is interesting to note that so far nine countries around the world have entirely banned the use of tobacco in public places, while other countries have resorted to partial banning. We note that partial banning on the use of the substance has been instituted in fourteen countries in the Americas, 30 countries in the African region and nineteen countries in the Western Pacific.

Let us all join in the battle against smoking in public places. Let us drop smoking as one of our habits, and instead of having cigarettes at the top of the grocery list, let is strive to bring it to the bottom and eventually drop it entirely. Let the debates begin!