Murray pleads for smoking ban

May 31, 2010 2:09 PM

Attorney and partner of SMS Attorneys at Law, mr Mirto F. Murray, pleads for a "no smoking rule" in airconditioned sections of restaurants.

Simultaneously, today – on World Non-Smoking Day – a group that calls itself ‘Co-smokers of the Netherlands Antilles’ has forwarded a letter to the Minister of Public Health with the request to expand the implemented smoking ban in 1996 to a smoking ban in non-public workshops, catering businesses, casinos, nightclubs and in general all closed or semi-closed areas open to public.

As per May 31st 1996, it is prohibited to smoke in public buildings and amongst others in hospitals, maternity clinics, nursing homes, toddler day care centers, consultancy firms, medical practice, old people’s homes, community centers, family replacement homes for handicapped persons, closed institutes that are mostly used for sporting, schools and universities, according to Murray.

“At the time, the legislator explicitly aimed at the protection of the non-smoker in particular, as it appeared from scientific researches and publications on the consequences of tobacco products that smoking seriously endangers the health of the user and that the health of non-smokers’ could also suffer from smoking. Further, and for that matter justly so, the legislator deems that the risks connected with smoking are usually larger in industrial situations.”

Murray pleads for introduction of a smoking ban in restaurants. In that, he is supported by the Association of Restaurant Owners, the Horecaf, the trade union active in the horeca, both smokers and non-smokers, but also people coping with bronchitis disorders, the Association of Curaçao Family Doctors and the Association of Medical Specialists Curaçao. If there is sufficient bearing surface, Murray is prepared to make a draft law and present this to the legislator – entirely free of charge. Reactions may be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

31 May 2010