leader Charles Jeffers.

He said Bermuda was in the dark ages on the issue of cigarettes and was in danger of becoming a dumping ground for the tobacco industry.

He called on Government to restrict smoking in public places and he wondered why it was not putting out counter advertising stressing the health risks of smoking.

Mr. Jeffers said: "Serious consideration should be give to a substantial tax on the sale of cigarettes with the money going to anti-smoking advertisements and prevention and treatment programmes aimed at young people.'' He fears sporting clubs consider the financial benefits of tobacco advertising without considering the social consequences.

"Sports and drugs, illegal or legal, are not a good mix,'' he said. "The activities of Bermuda cigarette wholesalers and the Somerset Cricket Club during Cup Match 2000 have set off bells that should be a warning of what is happening and what is to come in Bermuda.

"These displays were very visible to the fans around the field as well as to the television audience.

"On the Saturday after Cup Match a picture on the front page of The Royal Gazette shows the backs of four youngsters watching the game. The logo of Camel cigarettes is prominently displayed on the back of the tee shirt of one of the boys. What message is being sent to our youth? "Ward Young, a principal in Bermuda General Agency and BDC was interviewed on the radio a number of times during Cup Match about BGA's generous donation to the Bermuda TB, Cancer and Health Association.

"On one hand, Mr. Young's Phoenix Stores are selling cigarettes, a major cause and/or contributor to cancer and, on the other, one of his other companies is making donations to the organisation that is desperately trying to stamp out cancer and its causes. How ironic! "The sale of cigarettes by pharmacies is a contradiction. Establishments that exist to assist the public in maintaining or regaining good health, are selling prescription drugs at one counter and cigarettes at another.'' But Mr. Young hit back: "Our company considers the fight against cancer is a massive one, it's all encompassing. There are many, many types of cancer.

Cancer of the lung is only part of it.

"We are going to give and give again to the TB Health and Cancer Association.

We believe in what they are doing.'' On the issue of selling cigarettes at his pharmacies Mr. Young said: "It's something we wrestle with every single year. We debate the cigarette issue and make it more and more difficult to buy cigarettes.'' Mr. Young said people had the right to choose to buy cigarettes.

"As a cancer survivor myself, it is regrettable people can take a shot like this. I think it's a cheap shot. The TB and Cancer Association is close to my heart.'' National Drug Commission Prevention Officer Calvin Ming said: "The NDC has been saying for a long time that we need to start moving away from advertising that will affect the lives of young people.

"What we have to do is to find a substitute so clubs can do what they need to do. It's a matter of balance to get those people to become good corporate citizens.'' Somerset Cricket Club President Colin Smith admitted Mr. Jeffers had a point about cigarette advertising at Cup Match.

He said: "We have to sit down and discuss all items with people who like to advertise and hope to come out with a happy medium.'' Mr. Jeffers fears lawsuits and restraints on cigarette advertising will force the US industry to exploit easier markets.

"In order to survive, they have turned their attention to countries...where there is little or no legal or other forms of resistance to cigarette smoking.

"From all appearances, Bermuda is now targeted as a country that is doing very little about smoking and is therefore a prime market in which to push this product.'' HEALTH HTH CRICKET CRI