Asthma charity Open Airways is “disappointed” that legislation providing stricter controls for the sale of tobacco has been delayed.

The Tobacco Control Act 2015 was brought before the House of Assembly on Friday by Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health, but faced opposition from the Progressive Labour Party, who branded it “punitive and draconian”.

Ms Atherden opted to rise and report progress and is due to discuss amendments to the Act with Michael Weeks, the Shadow Minister of Health.

But Tracy Nash, Open Airways’ director of asthma education, told The Royal Gazette the proposed changes would be welcomed by the charity.

“Open Airways is a charity whose mission is to help Bermuda breathe and as such we are involved in asthma, COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] and respiratory education,” she said.

“Our concern is for the health risks of smoking and so we are disappointed that the legislation has not passed as anything that would possibly reduce the number of people who are smoking would be a good thing.

“I am concerned about the use of e-cigarettes in minors and strongly support legislation to prevent the sale of such devices to minors.

“However there is a place for e-cigarettes as a quit aid for stopping smoking in adults, and they are also a healthier alternative for adults who do not want to stop or cannot stop smoking tobacco. It is the tobacco in cigarettes which causes the health issues.”

The legislation is intended to provide stricter controls for the sale of cigars, cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and classify rolling papers as a tobacco product.

Mr Weeks said: “While we agree with this Bill in principle, in that we want a healthier society and to ensure our children are protected from the ills of cigarette smoking, this Bill presents several problems that prevent us from supporting it in its current form.

“Enforcement of this Bill is one underlying issue that the minister would be unwise to ignore.

“This Bill will disproportionately penalise the patrons and owners of small businesses and sports clubs, with other places that facilitate smokers left to carry on business as usual.

“This not only restricts behaviour to an extent larger than necessary, but it also stunts economic growth for this business sector.

“Enforcement, however, is only one of the problems presented by this Bill. Small businesses such as convenience stores would be hit financially when made to keep snacks at least nine feet from tobacco products.

“If stores do not have the luxury of much square footage they will be faced with decisions such as which clientele do I cater to at the expense of the other, tobacco-product purchasers or snack purchasers?” Mr Weeks said banning the sale of single cigarettes was another issue that needed to be addressed.

“Purchasing single cigarettes is a way to not only have a cigarette without committing to an entire carton, but it also serves as a way for many to kick the habit of smoking.

“With the nature of this Bill being to create a healthier population, it would be counterproductive to block an avenue many take to become non-smokers.”

Speaking on this issue, Ms Nash said: “I was surprised to find out that cigarettes could be sold in singles in Bermuda as I believe many countries, including the UK, have banned the sale of single cigarettes.”

Mr Weeks described the proposed penalties as excessive, adding that it made “criminals” out of smokers.

“After leading the Opposition debate of this Bill, we applaud the minister for recognising the weakness in the policy, and I look forward to meeting with her in the days ahead to discuss amendments and solutions that will make this Bill more effective in achieving its goal and benefiting all Bermudians,” he added.