National Tobacco & Enforcement Refresher Capacity Building Workshop

Enhancing efforts on the enforcement of Tobacco Control Laws in Fiji is being strengthened in a four day National Tobacco and Enforcement Refresher Capacity Building Workshop at the Novotel Hotel in Nadi.

The workshop facilitated and supported by the World Health Organisation Western Pacific Regional Office, WHO Fiji office and the Ministry of Health & Medical Services - Fiji, sees enforcement officers gather to discuss ways of improving coordination efforts to effectively ensure continuity of the legal enforcement and prosecution of tobacco control issues.

In opening the workshop, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abdul Khan said the economic costs of deaths due to tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke need a collaborative approach to save lives.

“Each year, Fiji records more than 1,200 deaths due to tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke.

Seventy-one percent of these deaths are among those under the age of 70 years old, which results in FJD$229 Million in economic costs”.

“I commend the Ministry of Health and Medical Services tobacco control efforts, but we must keep in mind that we all have a role to play.

Tobacco control requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach with community involvement and support”.

Fiji ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2003, and had introduced laws to regulate the sale of tobacco products, require pictorial health warnings, prohibit smoking in several indoor public places as well as stop many forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

WHO Team Lead Pacific NCDs and Health through the Life course Unit Dr Tomo Kanda said, “Fiji successfully entered into the FCTC, however the challenge always remains the level of enforcement, and your role is extremely important”.

The Ministry of Health’s Chief Health Inspector said, “Non-communicable diseases are a major crisis and it’s a long and chronic approach when you tackle NCD’s and tobacco control plays a role in this”.

Speakers will also include officials from the New Zealand Customs, Fiji Police Force, Fiji Revenue and Customs Services and Land Transport Authority.

The workshop ends on Friday.