Average of 8 people die every day due to cardiovascular disease

An average of eight people die every day in Fiji due to cardiovascular related diseases with smoking as the highest risk factor.

Fiji College of General Practitioners President Dr Ram Raju said this as the college prepares to submit his proposals for smoking to be completely banned in the country to government.

Dr Raju said tobacco control measures are a failure and there is no safety level of second hand smoke.

He said diseases due to smoking is causing a drain on the resources in hospitals and costs the nation millions of dollars.   

He also said all other forms of smoking and substance abuse like marijuana which continues unabated will be eliminated if Fiji is declared Smoke Free.  

We have asked Dr Raju if the losses such as job losses incurred through this move has been taken into account.

He said no doubt there will be short term losses however there will be long term gains in every aspect.

He further added that all smokers can be assisted by doctors to quit or alternatively they pay special licenses to smoke in their own homes.


Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa