News

55 percent of children subjected to second-hand smoking

June 8, 2015 6:25 pm

Fifty five percent of children in Fiji are exposed to second – hand smoking.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services – Dr Mecuisela Tuicakau says these children are between the ages of thirteen to fifteen years.

Dr Tuicakau says this can lead to brain tumors and other long-term health effects and the Ministry is urging parents to be mindful of where they smoke.

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“The Ministry of Health has been working tirelessly in advocating for Tobacco and its harmful effects and it’s also been legislated in Tobacco Decree 2010 and our officers on the ground are enforcing those provisions in the decree.”

Second –hand smoking is the tobacco smoke that is exhaled by a smoker and is inhaled by persons nearby, which is also known as passive smoking.