Tobacco misconceptions raise concerns

Tobacco-related diseases are claiming the lives of about 1,200 people in Fiji each year, and health officials are raising alarms about the habit's potential to drive young people toward more dangerous drug use. These concerns were highlighted during the World No Tobacco Day commemoration in Vunivutu Village, Macuata.

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We had conducted an analysis to find out the level of nicotine and tar in cigarettes and also in suki. And the result came out, the result indicated that the level of nicotine and tar in suki is higher than the level of nicotine and tar in the normal cigarette.

Malelili Nakulanikoro, Manager of the Tobacco Control Enforcement Unit, pointed out a widespread misconception that tobacco is a safer alternative to cigarettes. An analysis conducted by the unit revealed that the levels of nicotine and tar in 'suki' (roll-your-own tobacco) are actually higher than those found in standard cigarettes.

Nakulanikoro warned that normalizing the use of addictive substances, including tobacco, could lead children to experiment with harmful drugs. "No matter how good we are going to preach to schoolchildren to stop taking substance abuse or taking drugs, if we are normalising the behaviour of using addictive drugs, they will certainly end up using harmful substances as well," she stated.

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No matter how good we are going to preach to schoolchildren to stop taking substance abuse or taking drugs, if we are normalising the behaviour of using addictive drugs, they will certainly end up using harmful substances as well.

Macuata Education Advisor Salesi Delai echoed these concerns, noting that 14% of youth aged 13 to 17 have already used tobacco. The economic impact is substantial, with tobacco-related deaths costing the local economy an estimated $319 million annually. Delai acknowledged the Ministry of Health's efforts to review laws concerning tobacco sales.

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14% of youth from the age of 13 to 17 have already used tobacco, with tobacco-related deaths costing the local economy $319 million, and that is too much of a cost.