USVI-On-Line

Does anyone know what the deal is about smoking on island? I know they were trying to pass a ban on smoking on beaches, in bars, restaurants, etc. We have a person in our party who is a smoker and am wondering how this will impact our trip this summer?

I think only time will tell on this one. The ban hasn't gone in to effect yet so it's hard to say right now. I believe that the law is to go into effect 6 months after it was signed (May 10, 2010)? Maybe someone else can confirm that?

They did make some changes to the original bill to allow smoking in outside public areas that are 20 feet away from places where smoking is banned.

Gonna' be a tough transition, I think.
I mean, cigs are so cheap there, but you won't be able to smoke 'em anywhere...?
Hope I have the gumption to quit.
Smiles-
MJ

We need to hear from Ruth on this one!

As usual, the government is clear as mud on the issue....From the St. John Source (May 13, 2010):

The governor also signed into a law the V.I. Smoke-Free Act, which he said "seeks to protect the health of all Virgin Islanders from the very real dangers of secondhand smoke." However, he also that some of the bill's definitions -- such as the one for "enclosed area" -- are too broad and need to be refined.
Mandates for business owners to post non-smoking signs inside and outside their establishment may also be "overly burdensome," while charging people who violate the law with a misdemeanor is "troublesome" since it appears to "criminalize smoking," deJongh wrote.
"I, therefore, urge the Legislature to promptly and fully consider making the appropriate amendments to make this law the best it can be for the benefit of our residents," he added.

Full article: http://stjohnsource.com/content/news/lo ... moking-ban

I am interested in seeing how it is enforced, if at all. Will the restaurants and bars do anything to discourage smoking?

When we were on VG, some places did not enforce the ban, at all. At Leverick, people smoked all over the place. I ask the bartender if it was ok to smoke off to the side of the bar (I am a on-again, off-again smoker when I drink) and she sort of laughed at me for actually obeying the no-smoking signs, slid an ashtray towards me, got me another beer and told me to sit down.

But in Spanishtown, we were told it is strictly enforced and the chance of getting a citation was very real. Yet people were smoking all over the place, just not at the bar or at the tables.

That article from the Source is from March 24th, here is part of the more current article "New Smoother, Milder Smoking Ban Moves Forward" from April 8th:

"Richards' amendment eliminated the ban on smoking in parks, playgrounds and outdoor recreation facilities, and changed the restriction on smoking at bars and restaurants to a ban on smoking indoors at such businesses. Both amendments and the amended bill passed without dissent."
Full Article here: http://stjohnsource.com/content/news/lo ... es-forward

The "new smoother" bill was signed on or around May 10th by the Governor.

And surprisingly, the % of smokers in the USVI is much lower than the national average. More than 20% nationally, and just more than 9% in the USVI.

Hey Julie!! the article I sourced was from two weeks ago (May 13) unless your were referring to anther one?

Funny thing is, I can't remember seeing alot of people smoking in the VI even at the bars. I never thought about it before but you're right!!

That's odd! I probably got some info mixed up. I've read a bunch of articles about the ban. Anyhow, I do know they tamed the original bill down because the first one was too restrictive and vague. No surprise though, most of the bills need a ton of amendments before they can pass. I watch the local gov. channel, LEGIT TV, a lot and it is quite entertaining to me. I am often shocked at the behavior and ridiculous questioning I see/hear. It's a wonder they get anything done at all. We do have some really good senators, but sheesh! sometimes I have to change the channel because I get so embarrassed for the speakers that I can't watch.

In my observation, it seems like on St. John a lot of the smokers are transplants. I don't see many West Indian smokers at all...well, not cigarette smokers anyhow