Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson says he will be having discussions with the players in the alcohol industry regarding the level of advertising and exposure of alcoholic products to children.
Dr. Ferguson says the discussions will seek to see how best to create a convergence of the objectives of all players.
The Health Minister says he will not be using draconian legislation to regulate the level of alcohol exposure to children.
But, he says the interest of the children must be protected.
Dr. Ferguson says the reduction of alcohol consumption is a part of the Ministry’s risk factor management approach to reducing the prevalence of non communicable diseases.
In keeping with this position, he says he has already met with the Food Industry, critical players from the private sector and academia with respect to nutrition.
Dr. Ferguson, was speaking yesterday in Kingston, at the dedication ceremony for a new mammogrophy machine for the Jamaica Cancer Society.
And….President of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals, Stanford Davis says he believes a wholistic approach needs to be taken to address the problem.
Mr. Davis says discussions must also be held with the Broadcasting Commission to regulate the content of commercials featuring alcohol.
Stanford Davis, President of the Association of Principals and Vice-principals.
