May 02 - Government Hits Out At GSD’s “Hypocrisy” Over Tobacco Problem In Estates
The Government has said that the GSD’s “hypocrisy” has “sunk to a new low” in the latest exchange in the row over the problems caused by the sale of tobacco in residential areas.
A statement from Number 6 continues:
It was their administration which oversaw the explosion of new tobacco licences with a resultant explosion of tobacco-related, anti-social behaviour in Glacis and Laguna estates. In short, these estates were left with a tinderbox of ‘intimidation and uneasiness’ which had to be tackled by the incoming Government. In the last few months robust new legislation has been introduced and, with the excellent support of the RGP and the Customs, problems in those estates are being swiftly eradicated.
Having done absolutely nothing to solve any of these issues when in government, it is utterly ridiculous of the GSD to criticise this Government because other estates might start to feel the effects of the successful clampdown in Glacis and Laguna.
During their time in office, the GSD administration was the landlord of the Waterport Terraces shops and it was on their watch that the relevant tobacco trade licences were granted. In their haste to try to embarrass the Government, they didn't bother to check that they are complaining against actions which arise from their own time in government!
This Government is already taking the necessary action to extend its Special Zones to additional areas of the town and is now monitoring the tobacco-related anti-social behaviour around the Rock in order to take further action where and when required. It therefore takes a stunning cheek to demand that the Government needs to be clear about its long-term strategy after so many years of staggering neglect by the GSD government. Moreover, the Government does not need the Opposition to tell it to do exactly what it is doing!
It would be too much to expect that the Opposition might simply congratulate the Government for the implementation to date of such a successful policy.
The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said, ‘We have already taken drastic steps to control tobacco related anti-social activity in the areas the GSD perennially neglected like Glacis and Laguna. We will take such further action as may be necessary elsewhere. We will not let people down on this issue as the GSD patently did.’
