Village says “no to tobacco”

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 31 May 2016, 12:00AM

Samoa is joining the rest of the world to condemn the harmful effects of tobacco use. And no other place was this message more visible than the village of Lepea where the Ministry of Health had taken its outreach programme yesterday.

In addressing the village, the Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama said Tobacco does nothing good to the person’s health. 

“We know the effect of Tobacco to our health as well as to the non smokers,” said Tuitama. 

The Minister reiterated the message from the World Health Organization, calling on all the countries to get ready for plain packaging. 

Plain packaging is to prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images or trade information on packaging other than the brand name and product in standard color. 

For this year’s campaign, one of the target groups for the Ministry of Health is young people, especially students at colleges and universities.

As part of yesterday’s programme, two students from Avele and St. Joseph’s College were invited to share short stories and poems about the effect of tobacco use. 

Tuitama acknowledged Lepea’s contribution to the programme.

He also acknowledged the partnership with Auckland University who have helped them with the launching of the mCessation Programme, which they are working on together with Bluesky Samoa. 

The mCessation programme is to send text messages and quit tips to the users that Tobacco is bad for their health and to push people to quit. 

(more about Tobacco Day from the Samoa Cancer Society)


By Pai Mulitalo Ale 31 May 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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