Suva, Fiji, 18 March 2025 | This week, an international team is working with Fiji to assess its needs for effectively implementing the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. As the first protocol adopted under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), this international treaty aims at eliminating all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products through a package of measures implemented by countries in cooperation with each other.
Illicit trade threatens public health by increasing access to cheaper tobacco products, fueling the tobacco epidemic, and undermining tobacco control policies. It also leads to significant government revenue losses and contributes to the funding of international criminal activities.
The illicit tobacco trade presents serious economic and health challenges for Fiji. Each year, the nation loses FJD 319 million to tobacco-related costs, which represents 2.7% of its GDP and significantly exceeds revenues from cigarette taxes. Tobacco-related illnesses result in 1200 deaths annually, accounting for nearly 17% of all fatalities in Fiji. These figures highlight the urgency of addressing this issue.
A key finding from "Operation EXIT," a collaboration between the Oceania Customs Organization and the World Health Organization (WHO), revealed that illicit tobacco trade is on the rise in the Pacific region. Common methods include smuggling tobacco products into countries or transferring goods at sea in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Fiji has demonstrated regional leadership in combating illicit tobacco trade, becoming the first Pacific nation to ratify the Protocol in 2019. The country has implemented comprehensive legislation, such as the Tobacco Control Act, Customs Act, and Crimes Act, to address the issue and penalize perpetrators. This week’s needs assessment reaffirms Fiji’s commitment to tackling illicit tobacco trade within its borders and throughout the Pacific.
The assessment is being jointly conducted by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), WHO FCTC Secretariat, and WHO. Stakeholders from governmental and non-governmental sectors are involved in identifying gaps in current measures to prevent illicit tobacco trade and exploring ways to strengthen the implementation of the Protocol. This exercise is part of a broader collaboration under the FCTC 2030 project, involving the Government of Fiji, the WHO FCTC Secretariat and WHO, which also includes the 2024 Investment Case for Tobacco Control, developed in partnership with the UNDP.
Speaking at the opening of the stakeholders meeting, Permanent Secretary for Fiji Health and Medical Services Dr Jemesa Tudravu said, “Every year, tobacco use claims more than 1200 Fijian lives, with 71% of these deaths occurring in individuals under the age of 70—representing a significant number of premature deaths. Additionally, about 27% of lives lost to tobacco use are due to exposure to second-hand smoke. The prevalence of smoking in Fiji remains notably high, particularly among adults and young people, posing a severe threat to our public health. The impact of tobacco-related diseases results in increased morbidity and mortality, affecting families, communities, and our entire nation.”
Dr Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative to the South Pacific and Director of Pacific Technical Support further emphasized that “WHO will continue to support the Government of Fiji to strengthen the implementation of the Protocol to protect the health of future generations of Fijians. This includes support for raising awareness about tobacco use as a preventable risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, as well as communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and other health conditions including vision loss, hearing loss and reduced fertility.”
Mr Andrew Black, from the Convention Secretariat, commended the Government of Fiji for its commitment for eliminating illicit trade in tobacco products and assured that the WHO FCTC Secretariat will continue to provide support to Fiji to continue their efforts to fully implement the WHO FCTC and its Protocol.