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PHILIPSBURG--A law that seeks to ban the use of tobacco and tobacco products (cigarettes and cigars) in public spaces, workplaces and on public transportation will soon be before Parliament for debate and approval.
The draft amendment to the country's existing regulations in tobacco use is on the initiative of independent Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever. He affixed his signature on June 8 to the draft changes, according to a press release he issued on Sunday.
The pending amendments will affect the May 23, 1996, Netherlands Antilles Ordinance on the reduce of tobacco use. St. Maarten took over that ordinance upon becoming a country on 10-10-10.
De Weever, when he served as health minister (2010-2014) had issued a call to the business community to ban smoking in their establishments. He also had launched the "Clean Air For All" – a policy banning smoking in all government offices.
Many countries around the world have similar regulations.
De Weever stated studies prove that such regulations promote good health by eliminating illness and death caused by tobacco and second-hand smoke.
