Artistes ponder butting out - Mixed reactions come regarding smoking ban

 Nicholas Kellyman, Gleaner Intern

There are mixed reactions coming from Jamaican entertainers about the new regulations by the Ministry of Health forbidding smoking in any public space and workplace.

"That's a joke, in Jamaica, Ms Portia, we are all stressed out, so we need cigarettes," Lady Saw told The Gleaner after a performance at Rum-Bar Flex Week's opening event.

"They got to lock me up like 50 times," she said.

Former Magnum Kings and Queens contestant Jah Bouks was similarly disgruntled about the regulations.

"Well me check say that a foolishness enuh, yuh hear me a seh? Them need fi stop the vehicle them weh a smoke," said Jah Bouks.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) regards tobacco smoking as one of the premier threats to public health, with over half of tobacco users dying from tobacco-related diseases. PAHO estimates that tobacco leads to the death of approximately six million people per year. The statistics are extremely alarming, especially when one considers that 600,000 of the estimated six million deaths are non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.

With such alarming statistics, it is no surprise as to why some dancehall and reggae artistes such as Spice, Keznamdi, Louie Culture and I-Octane are in agreement with the law.

"Somebody else that chooses not to smoke shouldn't have to inhale other people's smoke, so I really

don't have a problem with it," explained Spice.

"We just affi come together and know say when we a smoke is within our personal space and we nuh offend nobody and wi good," said Octane.

"Cigarette smoking is not a good thing, smoking suppose to be a private thing, smoke that a yuh yard," concurred Louie Culture.

"Is one a the best law that fi cigarette," said Keznamdi.

Even while agreeing with the rule, many dancehall and reggae artistes were concerned about the hefty fine which persons caught in violation of the regulations will be asked to pay. According to Section 19 (i) of the Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulation Act, first-time offenders will pay a fine of up to $50,000 or serve up to three months in prison while a second offence will lead to a fine of up to $500,000 or six months' imprisonment.

"Them owe IMF some money and them need ways of getting back some of them revenue deh, so them ago start all tax wi breathing, all wi saliva dem aggo start tax," hypothesised Chronixx.

"Why is it that they want us to pay the millions like we are anybody different," said rising reggae act, Jesse Royal.

"Weh a little street side man, weh stress over life and a smoke one cigarette, weh him fi get 50 grand from?" asked Lady Saw.

Spice and Louie Culture shared Lady Saw's concerns.

"Well I don't know bout the 50 thousand, but me know is a good law," said Louie Culture.

"The only problem I have is the fee that they are charging $50,000, I think, is ridiculous," said Spice.

I-Octane, although in agreement with the law, was concerned with how quickly the law was put on the table.

"You affi mek sure say you change it over a period of time, not just do it bum and people fi adjust to it instantly," said.