A SMOKING ban is still on the agenda, it has been confirmed, despite signs the Island could be being left behind in the fight to kick the habit.
In June, it was confirmed Department of Health and Social Security plans to get the habit stubbed out in the workplace were being worked on and this seemed to put the Island ahead of other parts of the British Isles.
Health Minister Steve Rodan sa
id in September it was 'only a matter of time' before a ban was introduced.
He said the case for providing smoke-free workplaces and public spaces was 'overwhelming' and the issue was now simply how to do it.
But UK plans to stub out in enclosed public areas were announced on Tuesday. The White Paper on Public Health includes proposals which could see up to 90 per cent of bars go smoke-free within a few years. The proposals will affect every cafe and restaurant.
And earlier this month Scotland laid out plans for an outright ban on smoking in enclosed public places to be introduced in 2006.
Public health consultant Dr Paul Emerson said work towards an Island ban was ongoing.
'The public health directorate continues to work on issues we believe are important to include in any future anti-tobacco legislation for the Island,' said Dr Emerson. 'The progress towards a ban in workplaces and enclosed public spaces is very much an issue for our minister, Mr Rodan, now and he has agreed to progress legislation similar to Scotland's and Ireland's through the Isle of Man framework over the next few years. This could take three to four years, depending on the demands on the legislative timetable.
