Christine Sanders

By Karen Clarke
karen@caymannetnews.com 

About 16 months after the draft Tobacco Bill was brought before the Legislative Assembly (LA), it is still not clear when anti-smoking legistration will be introduced to the Cayman Islands.

The draft Tobacco Bill 2007, which amongst other things seeks to prohibit both the promotion of tobacco products and smoking in enclosed workplaces and enclosed public places, was brought before the LA in March 2007.

In response to a request from Cayman Net News seeking clarification on the progress of the bill, the Ministry of Health issued the following statement:

“The Ministry is currently reviewing what is hoped will be the final draft, having taken representations from a variety of sources. In keeping with the Ministry’s vision of ‘Optimal Well Being for All’, the Tobacco Bill remains a top priority.”

Christine Sanders, Chief Operating Officer of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society (CICS), said she hoped the Bill would be brought before the Legislative Assembly “sometime this year”.

The CICS, a strong supporter of anti-smoking legislation, has posted on its website a list of 40 local restaurants that have introduced an indoor no-smoking policy ahead of the proposed legislation. Ms Sanders explained that the list, which was not exhaustive, was formed as a result of an informal, telephone survey in May.

Despite oft-repeated arguments by bar and restaurant owners in other countries considering similar legislation that banning smoking will drive away customers, Ms Sanders pointed out that many of the restaurants in Cayman had not experienced a downturn in business since introducing anti-smoking policies.

She added that “the more people do so voluntarily (make their establishments smoke free), the more it will push things along”.

Ms Sanders explained that there was “indisputable” evidence that smoking affects both smokers and non-smokers (via passive smoking) and that the number of people quitting the habit had increased in countries where anti-smoking legislation had been introduced.

“We would like to see (the legislation) introduced sooner, rather than later,” she stressed.

Three restaurateurs contacted by Cayman Net News gave their full support to non-smoking areas for customers.

Keith Griffin, of Bacchus Restaurant and Wine Bar said, “I’m surprised at how many customers we now have, who say they would not have come in before because of the smoke.”

He added that although he may have lost about a half-a-dozen regular customers because of the smoke-free policy, “I’ve gained about five times more” new customers.

Reid ‘Durty’ Denis established Durty Reid’s in 1989; the restaurant introduced non-smoking in all indoor areas last year.

“I’ve had a good experience with the indoor smoke-free policy,” Mr Denis said, adding that to date he had only had about three complaints from customers who had to go outside to smoke.

“Families come in with strollers now. We never had kids and babies at the old Durty Reid’s.”

The restaurant moved to Pedro Castle just over six months ago after its original location, on Red Bay Road, had to be demolished to make way for the new East-West Arterial.

Mr Denis maintained that, even after taking into account the loss of some customers due to the change in location, the restaurant had not been negatively affected because “there are some people who wouldn’t have come to the old Durty Reid’s, who come now; so it’s worked out well for me”.

He added that the patronage of the new clientele had “a lot to do with no smoking indoors,” with entire families now being able to enjoy the restaurant without the risk of exposing children to smoke.

Markus Meuri, co-owner of Deckers Restaurant, Prime Brazilian Steak House and Abacus Restaurant Lounge & Piano Bar, emphasised the need for legislation to enforce non-smoking in enclosed areas.

“I believe this is about being fair and that where people eat, people shouldn’t smoke,” he said. While the business owner believes that all restaurant buildings should be smoke-free, he added that the law should make it possible for customers to smoke in a designated area on licensed premises.

“Clients don’t mind going somewhere else to have a cigarette,” he said, explaining that customers in his establishments smoke in outdoor lounge areas and patios.

“In my experience, people do not mind getting up (from the dinner table) and having a cigarette somewhere else, as long as it’s on the premises.”

Mr Meuri warned, however, that Government should not be too rigid in its approach and enable nightclub owners to “come up with their own solution” in allowing customers to smoke on their premises. Referring to concerns that some businesses might be adversely affected by legislation he said, “(Government) must work with establishments to get the right balance.”