The Tobacco Control Unit (TCU) is looking at the implementation of second generation of graphic health warning on tobacco packets by the end of the year.

TCU acting manager, Nafiz Ali said Fiji was currently using first generation graphic health warning.

Mr Ali said this will be an issue to discuss at the five day Multisectoral Workshop for Pacific Island Countries to promote entry of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products at Hotel Novotel Nadi.

“We will be highlighting the implementation of the second generation of graphic health warning.

“Fiji is currently practicing the first graphic health warning, those are the pictures in the cigarette packets.

“We have reviewed it and very soon we will be implementing the new sets of graphic health warning because it has been two years,” Mr Ali said.

He said the requirement was to review the graphics every two years.

This is done by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“We have done it together where we have selected a set of photos, discussed it with health officials and then came to a final set of pictures. Then we took it down and got it surveyed at community level,” Mr Ali said.

These were currently being analysed.

The workshop is hosted by  the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The seminar yesterday was aimed at creating a multisectorial partnership between Pacific Island countries to make their work much easier.

“In the Pacific Island countries we are in the process of ratifying the illicit trade Protocol to eliminate illicit trade in Tobacco product. The facilitators are here to encourage the Pacific Island countries to ratify this protocol.”