THE newly established Tobacco Control Enforcement Unit wants the State to allocate an additional $1million a year to address smokers' rehabilitation.
Officer-in-charge Ifiremi Corerega said the State generated $59 million a year in taxes from the sale of cigarettes and it would be advisable that a portion of it assist those willing to give up smoking.
His comments follow news that 20 students, some in school uniforms, were caught and charged with smoking in no smoking zones during a two-day annual athletic competition a fortnight ago.
Mr Corerega said it was good for the ministry and the State to enforce the Tobacco Act but similar attention must be taken to help those willing to give up the addiction.
"I'm not trying to tell the State where to direct its money but measures to curb cigarette smuggling and selling cigarette to minors as well as assisting those who want to give up the urge but find it hard to must be looked into," Mr Corerega said.
A licensing system over the sale of cigarettes is being proposed to control its sale, he said.
While the Health Ministry promotes smoking cessation under its Quit and Win program, financing the scheme was an area that needed serious consideration if the program was to be successful, Mr Corerega said.
If the State considers addressing the issue of helping smokers quit, future revenue generated from the sale of cigarettes could be directed to other forms of economic development, he said.
Interim Education minister Filipe Bole said it supported the Health Ministry's efforts to control smoking in designated areas.
"Smoking addiction starts early. Many young smokers think that they can quit easily but, it does not take them too long to find out that they are already addicted. According to the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council (NSAAC), in Fiji, 22 per cent of 13-15 year-olds smoke their first cigarette before they are 10 years of age," he said.
Awareness programs are conducted throughout the year in its commitment to inform the Fiji public of the dangers of drugs, tobacco and other illicit substances. Research indicates three commonly used drugs by students of both primary and secondary schools are yaqona, alcohol and tobacco, he said.
"This is consistent with the survey conducted by the Fiji Community Education Association which revealed that about 62.5 per cent of urban youth smoke tobacco compared to 55 per cent of youth in the rural areas. The responsibility to assist our young people to choose a "No Tobacco" life style begins at home and in the community. Adults are urged to be supportive in protecting our young people from the dangers of tobacco smoking."
It is estimated that at least 600 million cigarettes are smoked in Fiji per year.
"An average smoker of 10 cigarettes per day could be saving $15 per week, $60 per month, $720 per year, $3600 in 5 years.
"The cost of smoking to the government, business and families has been estimated at $5 million per year in health care, expenditure on tobacco products and loss of productive years of life.
