A former mayor of Vailele Tai blames alcohol and cigarette use for many violent incidents in Samoa. 

Samoa Malae Isumu of Vailele Tai shared his views during a Ministry of Women Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D) workshop on ending violence against women. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer on Tuesday, the elderly matai said that while he was grateful for the programme, he is not happy with changes he has witnessed over the years. 

“My question is why is alcohol being brought into the country?” he asked. 

Samoa said before alcohol, there were no major incidents and car accidents were a rare occurrence. 

He pointed to alcohol as the reason for disagreements and fights within families; with parents fighting over money because the father spent money on beer and then argued with the mother when there is no food.

Samoa said you needed a special licence to sell alcohol many years ago, but now it was freely available and sold at any shop. 

He was also critical of the changing lifestyle of the modern Samoan citizen, pointing out that there was land to be worked and the ocean to provide what you need. "Palagi" food was uncommon while there was an abundance in traditional Samoan food which gave strength and sustenance. He said in this modern era, some people have not reached the age of 50 but they have begun to walk with a cane. 

The 80-year-old farmer said parents should be role models for their children. 

“The cause of the problem is because the mother stays to look after the children and the family while the father goes to work. Once the man gets the pay, then he will drink beer," he said.

He also questioned the fact that cigarettes are known to damage your health, with warnings printed on them, and yet they continue to be sold. 

"What is the meaning of these warnings but cigarettes are being sold?" he said, saying that a smoker would always find money for cigarettes.  

He shared his concern about the number of people smoking cigarettes, saying that even children and girls are partaking. 

Cigarette factories were opened to offer jobs to Samoans, according to him, but he queried the need for a job when there is a plantation that can be a lucrative business. 

Samoa said lately, there seems to be an incident of violence every day due to alcohol. He was adamant that the alcohol should be stopped as it was "useless", explaining that it was made by foreigners and only they know how to use it.  

He also emphasised the need for culture and traditions to be revived, as youth do not know enough about certain cultural practices and traditions. 

Statistics from the Ministry of Police show domestic violence cases doubled last year, compared the 2019. Data is based on complaints filed over a 10 month period between January and October 2020. 

Police said they investigated a total of 807 domestic crimes with 30 per cent of them involving alcohol, with the top alcohol-related crimes being insulting words, assault, intentional damage, causing injury. 

The data is based on complaints filed with the Police between January and October 2020 and show how the Family Safety Act 2013 was enforced and its relevance to the roles of the village committees.