Business Owners give stamp of approval to Smoking Ban

 by Mellica McPherson

Word about the recent passing of the Tobacco Control Act has been circulating on the internet since the news hit the airwaves on 15 November. Articles pertaining to the enactment of this legislation can be found on numerous websites, so it is likely that previous and prospective tourists have been informed.

Sites such as caribbeannetnews.com, hardbeatnews.com and the Associated Press have published articles on the topic and so have many other sites. 

On the 16 November the website findlaw.com published an article with the headline “Nicotine-craving tourists beware: British Virgin Islands bans smoking.” The subject is being discussed in the Territory as well, and it seems most of the response has been positive.

The Island Sun newspaper spoke with some managers within the hospitality industry to find out how this Act will affect their businesses.

Nickos Batistatou, General Manager of Long Bay Beach Resort described the Act as  very positive legislation. He said that most of the customers of his establishment are non-smokers, and that there will be a smoking section put in place to accommodate smoking patrons. Overall he referred to the Act as beneficial.  

Mr. Leslie Yonaho, Manager of Lambert Beach Resort told this newspaper that smoking has always been prohibited within the Resort. Therefore, he said that the Act would only further strengthen the policy that they have had before.

The Managing Director of the Sugar Mill Hotel and Restaurant, Mr. Patrick Conway told this newspaper that smoking has been disallowed from the restaurant area for the past two years. He said that the restaurant usually publishes a short message at the bottom of their menu asking patrons who smoke to kindly do so in the cocktail area, and this, he said has worked. Mr. Conway stated “I don’t see this new Act impacting our business. After all this legislation is nothing strange, other countries have enforced it before and the BVI is just moving with the times.  In fact I am very happy about its enactment because I don’t think that the workers or the other patrons should be exposed to second hand smoke. We will continue to have our smoking section.”

General Manager of Peter Island Resort, Sandra Grisham-Clothier applauded the Legislative Council on the passing of such an Act and described it as “a good law.” She said that most of the luxury resort clients are Americans who don’t smoke. Unfortunately she noted that most of their European clients do, and as such they will have to find means to inform them of this legislation. Although Mrs. Grisham-Clothier said that this legislation is a step in the right direction, she pointed out that it will need to be clearly defined to all businesses and persons in the BVI. She said “this Act is a very positive and good one; nevertheless we have to be thoughtful as we enforce this law, because at the same time we don’t want to drive away the tourist.”