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Tobacco Control Regulations For Solomon Islands In Effect

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Media Release 16-01-14-GH

The Solomon Islands Government has shown its continued commitment to improving the health of Solomon Islanders with the gazetting of the Tobacco Control Regulations.

Under the Regulations, all tobacco packaging must display health warnings on 70% of the front of and 30% of the back of tobacco packaging by 1 January 2015. Other aspects of the Regulations will be phased in over 2014.

These picture images with written warnings in both Solomon Islands Pidgin and English will send powerful messages to warn the public about the deadly effects of tobacco, says Minister Sigoto. Research from around the world had shown that the larger the picture, the greater the impact. This decreases smoking rates overall.

The large warning messages put Solomon Islands among the leaders of the Pacific in protecting the public from the deadly effects of tobacco. Solomon Islands has a high rate of smoking, particularly among younger people. Evidence in Solomon Islands indicates that many of the public do not realise that smoking is a leading cause of preventable non-communicable diseases.

It is important that consumers clearly see the warnings before they buy the packet, says Minister Sigoto. This is why retailers will be required to display the front of cigarette packets when they offer these products for sale.

The Regulations are designed with the health of Solomon Islanders foremost in mind. During the public consultation phase the majority of submissions strongly supported large graphic health warnings to be displayed on tobacco packages.

The final Tobacco Control Regulations are essential for public health and a great step forward in ensuring people are adequately warned about a poisonous product that causes diseases and kills our people, says Dr Alependava, Chair of the Tobacco Control Taskforce Committee. We make no apology for protecting the right of Solomon Islanders to know what they are putting into their bodies.

The Regulations also:

require testing for toxic chemicals in tobacco products from an independent laboratory mandate the annual rotation of smoking messages on tobacco packets control what can be printed on cigarettes provide further requirements for persons in charge of non-smoking areas, and Require reports to be made to the Minister and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

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Tobacco Control Regulations For Solomon Islands In Effect

Relief distribution still a challenge on Tonga’s islands

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ABC A boat lies among trees stripped by Cyclone Ian on Tonga's Ha'apai islands.

In Tonga, the Ministry of Health is working with churches on the Ha'apai group of islands to provide counselling services for victims of Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian.

Director of Health, Dr Siale Akauola, told Pacific Beat that mental health services are a priority along with providing ample supplies of safe drinking water.

Four days after the category five cyclone devastated the Ha'apai group of islands, killing one person and making thousands homeless, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has published an assessment of the damage.

It says more than half of the 1,130 buildings that were affected by Cyclone Ian have been destroyed and 34 percent of the rest have major damage.

It says that of the 17 primary and secondary schools affected in Ha'apai, 13 have major damage.

"Fortunately most of the people who've been evacuated to evacuating centres are living in large church buildings which still have adequate sanitation facilities so I'd say close to 90 percent of people are living in such church facilities," Dr Akauola said.

"So the question is sustaining the clean water supply and what happens when they move back into their damaged homes because almost 80 percent of dwellings or houses were either destroyed or have sustained major damage."

Dr Akauola says staff are taking action to ensure diseases like dengue fever or typhoid do not take hold by spraying for flies and mosquitoes as well as sourcing mosquito nets.

The United Nations situation report says the most immediate challenge is logistics to distribute relief and recovery items to outer islands as well as within affected areas.

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Relief distribution still a challenge on Tonga's islands

Islands Souvenirs celebrates Sinulog with edgy fashion show

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JUST as the city is abuzz, preparing itself to greet Sinulog revelers with colorful banners and blasting music, the well-loved pasalubong and memorabilia retailer Islands Souvenirs also gears up to wow mall-goers with their Sinulog Cut and Style fashion show.

On Jan. 17, 2014, the Cut and Style fashion show, to be held at 6PM at the Northwing atrium of SM City Cebu will feature a barrage of Cebuano personalities including a bevy of beauty queens including Miss International Tourism 2013 Angeli Dione Gomez and Queen of Cebu title holders; bright young trendsetters such as Kymberly Maitland-Smith, Mia Arcenas, Alfonso Montenegro and Tonyo Carcel; mother-and-tot tandems such as furniture retailers Agnes Huettel and daughter Alli, and Tess Lampert with daughters Veia and Maori and son Dylan; together with a handful of models and two of countrys most-followed fashion bloggers, Kryz and Laureen Uy, all strutting their stuff and showcasing their unique, personal creativity, in Islands Souvenirs Sinulog t-shirts. There will also be a special portion showcasing the limited edition Islands Souvenirs Viber t-shirts. Also to be featured is footwear by Native, worn by some of the participating personalities.

The highlight and finale of the show is American celebrity master shredder Adam Saaks who was flown in by Islands Souvenirs, from Hollywood. He will wield his skillful hands and scissors to rip, cut and style an Islands Souvenirs Sinulog shirt, live, and on the spot.

The Cut and Style Your Sinulog Shirt is available at the Northing Atrium of SM City Cebu until January 17 and all Islands Souvenirs stores until Sinulog day. Everyone is welcome to explore their edgy, creative side on Islands Souvenirs Sinulog t-shirts and join the rest of the city in celebrating the spirit of Sinulog.

Islands Souvenirs has branches in Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu, with Islands Pasalubong Center branches along Archbishop Reyes Ave., across the Magellans Cross, and in Mactan.Also visit them at http://www.theislandsgroup.com.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on January 15, 2014.

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Islands Souvenirs celebrates Sinulog with edgy fashion show

Bikini Girls Play Games on Yacht in Greek Islands – New Reality TV Show – Video

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Bikini Girls Play Games on Yacht in Greek Islands - New Reality TV Show
Promo for Nautical Channel TV series #39;Jump On Board: Sporades Islands #39; Nautical Channel #39;s hit reality TV series is back for more adventure on the high seas! ...

By: Nautical Channel

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Bikini Girls Play Games on Yacht in Greek Islands - New Reality TV Show - Video


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