By Teitimoana Tairi, Cook Islands News
Aerial view of Mauke island. Photo: RNZ
Mitiaro, Atiu, Mangaia, and Mauke islands in the Cook Islands will officially be declared smoke-free starting 31 May.
Cook Islands Health Ministry (Te Marae Ora) will launch a smoke-free campaign next month for these four outer islands, marking their declaration as smoke-free.
According to the ministry, this initiative concludes a five-year project of planning, organising, and investigating to control tobacco usage in the outer islands.
Health Promotion manager Tereapii Tumutoa said that businesses would no longer be permitted to promote and sell any tobacco-related products as of May 31 this year, coinciding with World Tobacco Free Day
He said that people are well aware of the changes around smoking ever since the banning of vapes last year, under the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2024 in August.
As of this year, the four islands will no longer allow smoking publicly, and businesses will not be allowed to sell tobacco products.
Mitiaro island's executive officer Anna Roi has also confirmed that, as of May 31, businesses or local stores will no longer be allowed to sell and promote tobacco.
She stated, "It is true that as of May 31st, shops on the island will not be selling cigarettes anymore." This aligns with Te Marae Ora's campaign launch for May 31.
Roi added that local residents of Mitiaro are allowed to purchase tobacco from Rarotonga or have it sent to the island for personal use, not for resale. However, smoking tobacco products is not allowed in designated areas.
The purpose of the whole idea of controlling tobacco is due to the fact that school students, young individuals especially young children are being exposed to tobacco, vaping and e-cigarettes.
According to Tumutoa, the health ministry is putting their focus on to the younger generation, school students because, "Education is key for controlling tobacco usage"
He said there will be more of an impact if the younger generation were controlled rather than the elders, there will be more of a change in smoking.
After declaring the four islands smoke-free, the health ministry is planning to declare the school halls, the community halls a smoke-free area.
Tumutoa said "Declaring schools, halls, churches a smoke-free area. And we've got a smoke-free workplace policy that's being drafted up. So, any government agents, they will all become some-free workplaces."
He said these are the key area's the Health Ministry is looking at for 30 May of this year.
He also said that they cannot fully make people stop smoking; it all depends on the individuals will power to quit.
The Health Ministry's vision is to have Rarotonga and Aitutaki the next islands to be smoke-free by 2030.
Despite people's reason to smoke, the Health Ministry had organised a Cessation programme where smokers are given the opportunity to quit or at least slow down.
In an earlier comment, health secretary Bob Williams explained that Smoke Free Islands is not a total elimination of smoking on the island, although the Health Ministry would like for the Cook Islands to be 100 per cent smoke free, "but we understand that it will be very difficult for some people".
-This article was first published by Cook Islands News.
