Dear Editor,
There are many factors contributing to poor health outcomes in Jamaica, including smog, bad diet and excessive stress. So while I agree that smoking is harmful, why is this sector being singled out for such excessive taxation, especially when in the dire economic circumstances as now obtains, it may likely drive the cigarette company out of business, paving the way for more illegal importation of cigarettes.
And how accurate are the figures used by the Ministry of Health to support the cost of smoking to public health. The Youth Smoking Survey used a narrow sample and is quite dated. How can the Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson be so confident in quoting from them when so many factors in our country contribute to poor health. The smog from our landfills alone sickens a good part of Kingston, but I cannot recall any consistent great outrage over that, or any call to action to solve this problem once and for all.
Unhealthy diets are also major culprits in poor health outcomes, but when has the Health Ministry organised a consistent public education campaign against this. There is even increased cases of childhood obesity and diabetes in Jamaica. What is being done? Women, particularly, as well as many men are eating themselves sick. What is being done?
It seems Dr Furguson only has strength for the cigarette company. The same company that is a major financier of the National Health Fund which the minister will be depending on to finance the planned National Health Card and all the many programmes and policies he announced recently in Parliament.
With the economic fallout and lower revenue flows arising from this untidy and ridiculous smoking ban there will be a lot to answer for. Carreras' stock has been battered and their revenues declined precipitously according to reports. Come on Minister Ferguson, revise this bad law now.
Winston Thomas
Lennox Big Woods
Westmoreland
Minister Ferguson, you only have strength for cigarettes
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There are many factors contributing to poor health outcomes in Jamaica, including smog, bad diet and excessive stress. So while I agree that smoking is harmful, why is this sector being singled out for such excessive taxation, especially when in the dire economic circumstances as now obtains, it may likely drive the cigarette company out of business, paving the way for more illegal importation of cigarettes.
And how accurate are the figures used by the Ministry of Health to support the cost of smoking to public health. The Youth Smoking Survey used a narrow sample and is quite dated. How can the Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson be so confident in quoting from them when so many factors in our country contribute to poor health. The smog from our landfills alone sickens a good part of Kingston, but I cannot recall any consistent great outrage over that, or any call to action to solve this problem once and for all.
Unhealthy diets are also major culprits in poor health outcomes, but when has the Health Ministry organised a consistent public education campaign against this. There is even increased cases of childhood obesity and diabetes in Jamaica. What is being done? Women, particularly, as well as many men are eating themselves sick. What is being done?
It seems Dr Furguson only has strength for the cigarette company. The same company that is a major financier of the National Health Fund which the minister will be depending on to finance the planned National Health Card and all the many programmes and policies he announced recently in Parliament.
With the economic fallout and lower revenue flows arising from this untidy and ridiculous smoking ban there will be a lot to answer for. Carreras' stock has been battered and their revenues declined precipitously according to reports. Come on Minister Ferguson, revise this bad law now.
Winston Thomas
Lennox Big Woods
Westmoreland
Minister Ferguson, you only have strength for cigarettes
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