The economic costs of deaths due to tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke need a collaborative approach to save lives.
This was stated by the Chief Operations Officer Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdul Khan during a workshop that aims at enhancing efforts on the enforcement of Tobacco Control Laws in Fiji and Enforcement Refresher Capacity Building Workshop.
ACP Khan says each year, Fiji records more than 1,200 deaths due to tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke.
He adds 71 percent of these deaths are among those under the age of 70 years old, which results in $229 million in economic costs.
ACP Khan also says tobacco control requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach with community involvement and support.
The workshop facilitated and supported by the World Health Organisation’s 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.
