The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, says a new tobacco factory is bad news for Samoa, with staff alarmed over the factory’s potential impact on public health.
<script async src="http://www.samoaobserver.ws///pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- ads-articles(24.03.14) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="2395638412"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
It is understood the factory is currently under construction, near Tafaigata.
A business registration search shows the company behind the factory is South Pacific Enterprises Ltd, which was registered with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L.) on 22 October, 2015. “We are against the factory.
We are morally against it because it concerns the health of our people,” said Leausa.
"The factory’s presence would increase competition in Samoa’s tobacco market, bringing more tobacco varieties, cheaper prices and an increase in the number of smokers."
Despite the freedom to form a company in Samoa, Leausa said the main concern was for the people’s health.
The Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama said he was not aware of the new company.
“Our main priority is the health of the people of Samoa," he said.
"And we’ve been trying to decrease the number of smokers in Samoa. But then I know that people will ask about their right to do what they want to do.
“Anyways, they haven’t officially made the presentation [in Parliament] yet.”
British American Tobacco Samoa currently operates in the country.
In addition to the company to manufacture tobacco products, South Pacific Enterprises Ltd. Has registered a business to manufacture beverages.
Beverages are mainly produced locally by the Samoa Beverages Company and Vailima Breweries.
South Pacific Enterprises Ltd’s sole owner is Ming Huang of Vaitele and Faleata Sasae.
<!-- ads-articles(24.03.14) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="2395638412"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}