The sub-village of Leala o Ali’i in Faleasi’u is taking a firm stand against smoking.
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The village is taking part in an international anti-smoking campaign, by reaching out to the community to encourage people to quit smoking.
The initiative is part of the World Health Organisation’s Package of Essential Non- Communicable Disease (P.E.N.) programme.
Representatives from the World Health Organisation and villagers were there to take part in the programme. On Friday the Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Leao Tuitama, said nations were obligated to provide a healthy environment for future generations.
He said action to combat smoking would improve Samoans’ quality of life.
Tuitama said, after the project was launched in Faleasi’u last year, the villagers were immediately and actively involved.
“About 460 people aged above 18 were registered in the community registry form,” said the Minister. “Approximately 24 percent of people in Leala Ali’i were smokers. Which… unfortunately aligns with [the] population average.” Tuitama said people needed to seek help to quit smoking early on, to reverse smoking’s negative effects.
He praised the women’s committee of Leala Ali’I, Vaifoa, for their work pushing the antismoking message.
Committee President Taimamao Sauvao Leaupepetele said the programme had progressed since it was launched last year.
Taimamao stressed the importance of the project allowing villagers to be aware of the different diseases and negative effects of smoking. She said youth were the most vulnerable group to smoke, and efforts were being made to reach out to that demographic.
“At first we didn’t know that about 4000 chemicals are used to manufacture [cigarettes],” said the President.
“Our villages have become aware of it and we see changes in their mindset of choosing not to smoke and being more physically active… the pastors have also taken the programme on board to reach out to youth, elders and anyone.” P.E.N. is a set of protocols developed by W.H.O. for implementation at the primary care level in low resource settings.
P.E.N. Fa’a Samoa has three main pillars:
early detection of N.C.Ds, N.C.D. management and increased community awareness.
The model takes advantage of existing community structures, where extended families continue to play a significant role in daily life and culture.
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