Chairman of the Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (JCTC), Dr Knox Hagley, is craving a law that will see smoking in public spaces banned. Hagley, who is also the chairman of the Health Foundation of Jamaica, believes such a move would result in a reduction in the number of smokers…Dr Richard Hurt, founder and director of the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Centre, believes Jamaica needs to return to the social norm which existed in the 19th century when public smoking was not prevalent, as cigarettes did not exist as a product. "There is overwhelming evidence throughout the world, places like Scotland, that when it is smoke-free, there is a reduction in heart-attack admissions of 19 per cent, and there have been other studies that show the reduction to be upwards of 45 per cent after the smoke-free policy is put in place," Hurt divulged.

Jamaica Gleaner by Ryon Jones

Tags: Alcohol and Tobacco, Dr. Knox Hagley, Dr. Richard Hurt, Health Foundation of Jamaica, Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control, Jamaica Gleaner, Nicotine Dependence Center