A new action plan to combat cigarette smoking in Bermuda has been established according to Health Minister Patrice Minors. Announcing the initiative in the House of Assembly Friday, Mrs. Minors revealed the proposals drawn up by civil servants in the Ministry of Health include legislation to ban the sale of tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 as well as restricting smoking in public places such as bars and restaurants.

Pressed on exactly when the proposed legislation would be tabled in the House, Mrs. Minors told last night it was her intention that a bill will see the light of day during the current parliamentary session. ?According to the Chief Medical Officer, smoking remains the single most preventable cause of premature death on the Island,? she said.

?Most of us know this. We understand that tobacco use is hazardous to our health. Unfortunately, there is a significant gap between what we know and what we need to to to prevent and control tobacco use. We recognise that it is critically important not only to prevent young Bermudians from starting to smoke, but to help those smokers who want to quit and to eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke in public places.?

As well as banning smoking in public places, it was also important that ?high quality smoking cessation programmes? are operational in Bermuda, she said, and that a more effective campaign to educate the population about the considerable health risks associated with cigarettes is launched.

?We have planned consultations with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that we have consensus on the major initiatives to prevent and control tobacco use,? the Minister concluded. I am confident that we can successfully address all of these concerns and effectively reduce tobacco use on the Island.?