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The Tobacco Control Unit of the Ministry of Health and Medical services has booked 45 offenders from 15^th – 19^th June in the western division for breaching the tobacco control decree.

The enforcement officers mobilized in the division to monitor the illicit trade and use of tobacco products.

19 retailers were charged for failure to display a ‘no smoking’ sign within their retailing area, while 15 were charged for failure to place a clear and prominent notice inside their retail outlet notifying the public they do not sell tobacco products to any person under the age of 18-years old.

Furthermore, 3 retailers were charged for selling cigarette rolls and 9 people were caught smoking in prohibited public places.

The offenders were served with notices to pay fines ranging from $200.00 to $1000.00 for smoking in public places and the illicit trade of tobacco products respectively.

People who fail to pay the fines will end up serving time in prison.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has issued numerous reminders to the public about the tobacco decree, and any breach of that will result in prosecution.

As tobacco contributes to the high prevalence of NCD rates in the country, the Tobacco Control Unit has effectively introduced strategies to combat the burden of disease in the country.

These strategies include increasing taxes on tobacco products, creating public awareness on the deadly effects of smoking, and declaring tobacco-free zones.

Meanwhile, Fiji was presented with WHO’s 2015 global ‘World No Tobacco Day’ award for continuous work done in the prevention and control of cigarette smoking.

The NCD Unit in Lautoka, in collaboration with Lautoka City Council, has commenced community dance classes every Wednesday afternoon at Shirley Park from 5 – 6.15pm. The initiative aims to encourage and motivate local citizens to engage in regular physical activity to reduce their risk of developing NCDs.

Based in Shirley Park, the location allows for a large, open and central space for local citizens to exercise in natural surroundings. The Lautoka City Council has kindly donated the grounds for free, allowing a lower price ($2 per person) for people to participate, whilst free health screenings are available periodically by the Ministry of Health staff.

THE FIJI JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH (FJPH)
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The FJPH is a Fiji based journal published for public health practitioners, public health researchers,
clinicians and all allied health practitioners. Our goal is to provide evidence based information and
analysis they need to enable them to make the right choices and decisions concerning their health and
health services provided to ensure better health for all.
We seek to publish articles on public health issues in Fiji ranging from child health, maternal health,
neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases, wellness initiatives, environment, climate
change, biomedical research, social-economic research, health determinants, and health systems
research, health policies, reforms, information, human resources etc. Submissions on other topics are
also welcome as long as they relate to public health issues.
We are now accepting submissions for our volume 4, issue 2 edition on
the Theme: Wellness – Nutrition in Fiji”. Submissions are due May15th 2015.
We would accept papers/articles directly or indirectly related to the theme which may be in
the form of Original Research, Abstracts, Opinion pieces, Field Notes, Perspectives; Policy
pieces (Policy papers/Policy Briefs).
Please refer to the Instructions to Authors for more information on Submission
requirements.
For any further questions regarding submissions, email the Editorial team on
fjph12@gmail.com or mere.delai@govnet.gov.fj.
Volume 4, Issue 2 Theme: Wellness – Nutrition in Fiji
SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MAY 15th 2015
The Fiji Journal of Public Health
Also check out the other upcoming Themes in the Ministry of Health Website @ www.health.gov.fj
or the Health Research Portal @ www.health.gov.fj/fijihrp.

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