Since July last year, 400 people have been booked and spot fined for failing to comply with the Tobacco Control Act 2010 and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2012.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services further confirmed that three among these have been given jail terms for failing to pay their fines. They were jailed for failing to pay fines for the sale of loose cigarettes.

In addition, with strong and effective measures implemented by the Government, recent statistics by the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) revealed that there was a major decline in the intake of tobacco in teenagers, males and females.

“The current smoking prevalence rate among 13-15 years age group in Fiji is 5.1 per cent with 6.8 per cent among males and 3.4 per cent among females.

“Compared to the GYTS report of 1995, the smoking rate among 13-15 years has dropped significantly by almost 50 per cent from 10.4 per cent to 5.1 per cent.

“In males it dropped from 13.7 per cent to 6.8 per cent and in females it dropped from 7.1 per cent to 3.4 per cent,” according to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) report 2016.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has also declared eight villages, 39 village community halls, a number of workplaces and all major markets tobacco free.

Moreover, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is now reviewing the current legislation for further amendments and to include tough measures like illicit trade of tobacco products and extend smoking zones to out-door public places.

The Ministry continues to work to eliminate the use of tobacco amongst the youth.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar

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