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Enclosed a document prepared by Pascal Bovet, which summarises some issues on tobacco in Seychelles,
including legislation so far (the information is still up to date). 1) Total annual production An
important decrease in consumption occurred in1994 after cigarette prices
increased by 20% in January 1994. An important increase in retail price
(25-30%) has also taken place in September 1998 and subsequent temporary drop
in sales is therefore expected. (1 Sey Rupee ~5 US$)
2) Tobacco consumption per gender and age Two
population-based surveys were made in 1989 and 1994. Both surveys used a random
sex and age stratified sample: 1081 participants (participation rate = 86%) in
1989* and 1067 participants (participation rate=87%) in 1994**. Noticeably, the
survey in 1994 intervened a few months after the price of cigarettes increased
(and important drop in cigarette sales was recorded in 1994). Results were as
follows:
* Bovet P, Shamlaye C, Kitua C, Riesen WF,
Paccaud F, Darioli R. High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the
Seychelles (Indian Ocean). Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis 1991;11:1730-36 ** Bovet P,
Perret F, Darioli R, Paccaud F. The Seychelles Heart Study II: methods and
basic findings. Seychelles Medical and Dental Journal. 1997;5:8-24 (full text
& tables on http://www.seychelles.net/smdj). 3) Legislation and policies for
tobacco control The first
piece of legislation has been enacted in 1998, as part of a the Children
(amendment) Act, 1998, section 73 (a child is defined for a person aged less
than 18 years) (1) A person shall not: a) give a child, b) sell to a child, or c) allow a child in his custody, care or charge
to smoke any tobacco or product containing tobacco. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) is
guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for 2 years and to a fine of
R20,000 There are
various additional ‘internal’ policies. For example it is the policy of the
Ministry of Health to ban smoking in its premises, including hospital and
health centres. It is also the policy in Seychelles not to advertise tobacco
products in the national newspapers, television and radio. These policies are
currently implemented. Questions on
various tobacco control issues were asked to a random sample of the population
in 1994 (n=1067) and results were as follow: 4.
Attitudes of smokers towards smoking
and attitudes of the public toward tobacco control
5)
Recent activities for World No Tobacco Days (WNTD) Much emphasis has been given in Seychelles to the
organization of high profile activities for World No Tobacco Days (WNTD). WNTD
events have been organized to occur over several weeks or months to prolong the
exposition of the public to health education.
Among other activities, permanent signboards to ban smoking were
installed in numerous willing organizations (e.g. ministries, hospitals and
health centers). Large murals on the theme of tobacco were painted in public
places. Several thousands of persons participated in a contest to wear
no-smoking pins with prizes awarded on the spot with instant coverage by an
accompanying TV crew. In 1997, the Ministry of Education agreed hat all
students aged 16-19 years (around 3000) should study a paper in class on the
Global Tobacco Epidemic [28] with a subsequent examination simultaneously held
in all schools on WNTD (computers and other prizes were awarded to best
students and schools). In 1998, an open «World No Tobacco Day Cycling Race» was
organized with elite and public riders wearing a T-shirt displaying a large no-smoking
logo. The price giving ceremony was followed by a free “World No Tobacco
Concert” featuring famous local artists and that was attended by a large crowd.
In 2000, a colorful, attractive one-page information sheet on tobacco control
was published in all national newspapers. This page included a contest with
questions pertaining related to the provided information and as many as 1783
entries were received. Most importantly, a pledge in support of tobacco control
and the Framework Convention of Tobacco Control was signed by 14,385 out of the
18,332 children attending all primary and secondary schools of the country. On
31 May 2000, a delegation of 40 children representing all schools of the
country handed over the signed pledges to Mr. James Michel, the Vice President
of the Republic of Seychelles in presence of the First Lady, several Ministers
and other high officials. In his address, the Vice-President assured that
“Government is committed to continue implementing and further strengthening all
necessary actions to limit tobacco use in the country”. The Vice President
forwarded the signed pledges to the Director General of the World Health
Organization. All these WNTD activities have been instrumental in
educating the public, shaping no smoking social norms and advocating further
steps for tobacco control. In addition, WNTDs have helped build a broad
coalition of key partners favoring a no smoking environment, and which includes
government officials, community leaders, representatives of large local corporations
(through visible sponsoring of the events) and many members of the public. 6) Organizations engaged in tobacco controls activities in Seychelles The Unit
for Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Disease (UPCCD) in the Ministry of
Health is clearly identified as the major focal point for activities against
smoking in the country. An NGO called Committee for Awareness, Resilience and
Education against Drug and Alcohol Use (CARE) also carries some activities
against smoking although it targets mostly drug users and alcohol abusers.
Other NGOs like the National Council for Children (NCC) have contributed to
tobacco control activities. |
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