The Samoa Cancer Society (S.C.S) is calling on bus drivers to put a stop to passengers smoking on buses. 

The Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of the S.C.S, Su'a John Ryan, told the Samoa Observer in a telephone interview on Tuesday that smoking passengers were breaking the law. 

"They shouldn't be doing it," Su'a said.

"It's actually part of the Tobacco Control legislation that you are not supposed to be smoking on public transport. 

"So whether it's the bus drivers’ [responsibility] or the actual passengers, it shouldn’t be done."

Su'a stated that smoking in confined spaces was bad just because it breached the law but because secondhand smoke put the health of their fellow passengers at risk. 

"So from the Cancer Society, our position is very clear that there should be no smoking on any public transport, especially buses," he said.

Su'a emphasised that second-hand smoke has been shown to have several negative health effects on those who are exposed to it. 

While he said he has not personally seen anyone smoke on a bus in operation he said the society was receiving reports of it happening, which was very disappointing.

The Samoa Police Service was approached for comment on the issue on Monday. The Deputy Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti, referred the query to the Tobacco Control Act 2008. 

Part 2 of the law outlines public access areas that should be kept smoke-free. 

“The purpose of this [law] is to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the detrimental effects of smoking on the health of any person who does not smoke, or who does not wish to smoke, inside any workplace or in public enclosed areas,” the legislation reads. 

Those found to be guilty of smoking in a designated no-smoking zone commit an offence punishable by a fine of up to 10 penalty units, or $1000. 

Exemptions are made for dramatic productions, such as plays, where smoking on stage is deemed a necessary addition to the story. 

Under the law, occupiers of spaces can face fines of up to $2000 for failing to take reasonable action to stop people from lighting up in smoke-free areas. 

Occupiers are also obliged to display signs that smoking is forbidden. 

Bus drivers at the Savalalo Bus Station were approached by the Samoa Observer for comment on the issue; most refused to comment on the issue of smoking inside buses. 

But two bus drivers, who are non-smokers, did offer their opinions on the issue. 

Maa Faga, who drives the Manuia i le Alofa Express, said the law on smoking prohibition should be enforced because it affected passengers’ welfare. 

He said that he would usually find people smoking on the bus.

"The bus would stop and we would tell them. They should throw away their cigarettes and don’t smoke on the bus because there are people here," he said.

But Tolumaana Setu, who drives the LA Express, said he had not witnessed breaches of the legislation.

He told the Samoa Observer in an interview on Tuesday that he does not smoke and that there is no smoking on the bus except for times where passengers leave the bus to do so. 

"Many people who come on the bus go back down to smoke their cigarettes, then come back up," he said.

Tolumaana further stated that while he is driving the bus he cannot look at the back of the bus to see who is smoking.

He said that there is already a paper (sign) on the bus to let people know smoking is banned. 

He said he had already informed the driver's assistant (supakako) to tell smokers that their behaviour was a breach of the law. 

"My only advice is to take note of the law that we have. Wait until you get to your destination then you can smoke there," he said.