Cayman Islands Proposes Smoking Ban

The Cayman Islands may soon follow in Puerto Rico’s footsteps by passing a destination-wide smoking ban. Puerto Rico’s smoke-free regulations took effect March 2.

Anthony Eden, health minister of the Cayman Islands, introduced the Tobacco Bill in the Legislative Assembly on March 5, marking the first step in the process to ban smoking throughout the Cayman Islands.

The bill, if passed, will ban smoking in all indoor public places and also in outdoor spaces that are covered by a roof, such as restaurant balconies. If the bill is enacted in its present form, it would apply to cigar bars, as well.

No-smoking policies already are in effect in a number of hotels in the Cayman Islands. Although no timetable has been announced, the next step in the legislative process is to elicit comment from the public.