Ministry of Health to hold launching ceremony for Tobacco Control measures in Belize

Belmopan. October 18th, 2010. The Ministry of Health National Drug Abuse Control Council is pleased to announce the official launching ceremony of the Frame work Convention on Tobacco Control Article Eight (Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke) to take place on Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 starting at 9:00am at the Belize Telemedia Limited Constitution Park, Belize City.

Belize signed onto the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on September 26th, 2003 and ratified it on December 15th, 2005. In order to fulfill its obligations under the FCTC the country developed the Belize National Tobacco Control Plan 2007-2012 which was launched on May 31st, 2007.

Since then, the Ministry of Health and the Bureau of Standards of Belize with the technical support of the Pan American Health Organization have been working on the implementation of the plan.

In an effort to maintain a Smoke Free Environment, Cabinet has approved Article Eight (Protection from Exposure to tobacco smoke) with the following measures:
*the prohibition of smoking within Government Buildings
*the prohibition of smoking in private business where the public accesses services, for example: Lobbies of Banks, hotels. Restaurants must indicate ‘Smoking’ and ‘No Smoking’ areas
*the prohibition of smoking in all Primary, Secondary and Tertiary learning institutions, whether public, church-state or privately managed
*the prohibition of smoking in public transportation, including all Terminals
*public display of ‘No Smoking Signs’ in areas where smoking is prohibited
*public awareness and education activities to promote this initiative

Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin mentioned that he is encouraged by the steps taken to fulfill the obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and he is committed to assist at Cabinet so that we can ensure full compliance with the other articles.

In Belize it is estimated that 37% of our deaths each year is related to cancers and other tobacco-related diseases. A Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) published in 2008 showed that almost 1 in 5 students currently use some form of tobacco (8% smoking cigarettes) and one in 10 students currently use some other form of tobacco aside from cigarettes. 74.7% of the respondents want to stop smoking and 61.4% think smoking should be banned from public places.Guest speakers at the ceremony will include the Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin and representatives from PAHO.

A Tobacco-Sensitization Fair follows the official ceremony with participation from the Cancer Society, Bureau of Standards and several primary schools from the Belize district area. The media is especially invited to attend.

ACES says Thank YOU!

The parents, board members, teachers and the entire student body of Ambergris Caye Elementary take this opportunity to thank the following persons for their kind contribution in one way or the other to the school.

Mr. Claudio Azueta and Family, Mr. Carlos Alejos and Family, Mrs. Alba Marin and Family, Mrs. Florita Frisinger and Family, Mrs. Melanie Paz, Mrs. Flora Ancona, Mr. Manuel Ancona Jr, Mrs. Anna Ico, Mr. Kareem Marun, Mr. Roberto Canul, Mr. Geovannie Marin, Mr. Sam, Mrs. Sonia Sutherland, Mrs. Ilse Williams, Mr. Jorge Rodriguez, Mrs. Jessica Eiley, Mr. Daniel Itza, Mr. Emil, Mr. Dee Dillion, Mr. Erick "Gato", Mr. Samuel Gonzales, The Bikini Bar, Xanadu Resort, The Victoria House, The 14 kids that helped during the summer, Councilor Pablo Ico, The San Pedro Town Board and Mayor Elsa Paz, Traveller's Liquors

Thank you all.

God Bless,
Ambergris Caye Elementary School.

What's New: Toni’s Café Paradise

Yum, shrimp kabobs! On Saturday Toni’s Café Paradise, located in the Vilma Linda Plaza, Tarpon Street hosted their grand opening. With jammin’ DJ tunes from Ragga and the Flames and tasty barbeque kabobs, it was a great time to sample their delicious food and check out the new café. Toni’s is open for breakfast and lunch and offers a wide variety of meals for every taste.

Caye Caulker Lobster Fest Committee says Thanks

Miss Stephanie Arce, Miss Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2010-11, had her official photo shoot on September 18th, 2010.

The shoot was made possible through:
The Victoria House in San Pedro that provided a beautiful location, accommodations and warm hospitality (http://www.victoria-house.com/).

Emil Alvarez of Emil Alvarez House of Couture from Orange Walk (610-0512). Mr. Alvarez is a dress designer who custom made outfits to fit beautifully. His designs can be found on FaceBook.

Maya and Colette - talented photographers of Conch Creative from San Pedro (http://www.conchcreative.com/). TOP NOTCH, San Pedro boutique that provided gorgeous accessories and shoes. And last but not least, the communities of both Caye Caulker and San Pedro for always supporting a worthy cause.

Thank you all for helping us create beautiful memories, the results are clearly gorgeous. The Caye Caulker Lobster Fest Pageant Committee and Miss Lobster Fest 2010-11, Miss Stephanie Arce, thank you for this amazing opportunity. The Committee is also proud to announce that Miss Stephanie Arce is currently enrolled at St. John College Junior College.

Thank you.
/s/ Ernesto Marin Jr.
Caye Caulker Lobster Fest Committee

Belize Mission Project is back in Belize!

The Belize Mission Project, spearheaded by Dr. Frank Whipps, is back in Belize for its 19th year. Through the years this project has been brightenning the smiles of residents across the country of Belize, with their base of operation being San Pedro. The group of 43 volunteers arrived on San Pedro on Friday October 15th and started offering services on Monday October 18th, at the Lions Den. The group will be operating through Friday October 22nd between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. Services offered include extraction, cleaning and filling. The general public is invited take advantage of this free, much needed service being provided.