The 2016 Fiji Global School-based Health Survey shows the percentage of students from age of 13 to 17 years who currently smoke cigarette stood at 12.2% with males higher at 17.1% and females 7.1%.
This was highlighted by the Assistant Minister for Health, Alex O’Connor at the World No Tobacco Day 2017 in Matainasau Village, Naitasiri.
O’Connor says when compared to the survey of 2010 the overall percentage of smoking among students aged 13 to 17 years has decreased from 13.1% with males decreasing from 18.1% and females decreasing from 7.9%.
He says the Fiji’s Non-Communicable Disease Steps Survey 2011 revealed a national smoking prevalence rate at 30.8% with males smoking significantly at 47% compared to the females at 14.3%.
O’Connor says the highest proportion of current smokers was seen in younger adults 25 to 34 years.
He says smoking is also prevalent among young people.
O’Connor says it is positive to note that the general trend from 2002 to 2011 indicate that the overall prevalence rate among adults has significantly dropped from 38% to 30.8% in Fiji.
He says currently there is an estimated 1.3 billion smokers in the world.
O’Connor says the death toll from tobacco consumption now stands at 4.9 million people a year.
He says if present consumption patterns continue, the number of deaths will increase to 10 million by the year 2020.
O’Connor says half the people that smoke today which is about 650 million people will eventually be killed by tobacco.
He says each day in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, 3000 people die from tobacco use.
O’Connor says the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has been working tirelessly with its development partners such as World Health Organisation, local municipalities, the non-governmental organisations to intensify awareness on the harmful effects of the consumption of tobacco products which is the threat to national development and awareness programs in communities such as the one launched in the village aims to bring behavioural changes among the communities to say NO TO SMOKING.
Parts of Labasa Town, Savusavu Town, Nadi Town, Nasinu Town, Lautoka City, and Suva City have been declared tobacco-free.
O’Connor says in total there are 6 tobacco-free villages which include Nabukaluka and Nakorosule in Naitasiri, Nabila and Cuvu in Nadroga, Nabiti and Lutukina in Macuata and 53 tobacco-free village community halls in Fiji.
Matainasau village was also declared a tobacco-free community hall today.
