Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says he shares the frustration of the Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control, which has expressed impatience with the time it is taking to pass the Tobacco Control Act, 2020.
Dr Tufton, who chairs the Joint Select Committee reviewing the bill, says the process is painstaking and involves extensive consultation.
Speaking today on TVJ's Smile Jamaica programme, Board member of the Coalition, Deborah Chen, urged members of the committee to speedily conclude deliberations.
Ms Chen lamented that while the process drags on, more people are being influenced by the tobacco industry.
In an interview with Radio Jamaica News this morning, Dr Tufton said a human resource issue has resulted in planned meetings being pushed back:
The last meeting of the Joint Select Committee on the Tobacco Control Bill was on March 16.
The Bill, if passed would provide comprehensive legislation that restricts all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
It would also limit inducements to use tobacco products and promote the dissemination of information on the addictive effects of tobacco use.
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