ABNER MASI

RURAL HEALTH YEAR 3

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

ASSESSMENT TASK 2
Smoking as a Public Health Issue in PNG
and Around the Globe
Smoking has been a significant public health issue in Papua New Guinea (PNG)
as well as globally. Despite being aware of the consequences that smoking has
on one’s health, millions of people worldwide continue to smoke. The World
Health Organization (WHO) reports that tobacco kills more than 8 million
people annually, with more than 7 million of those deaths attributed to direct
tobacco use (World Health Organization, 2021). In PNG, smoking is a prevalent
habit, particularly among males. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey
(GATS), 45.1% of men and 5.6% of women in PNG smoke tobacco (National
Department of Health, 2017). The PNG government has initiated anti-smoking
campaigns to eliminate smoking from public spaces and encourage people to
quit smoking. However, despite these efforts, the practice still poses a
significant public health issue in the country. Moreover, this essay will be
based on the effects and preventative measures of smoking as a public health
issue in in Papua New Guinea and around the globe.

The high prevalence of smoking in PNG is attributed to various factors,

including the lack of awareness of the health risks of tobacco use and the low
price of cigarettes (Department of Health, 2017). In addition to the health
burden caused by smoking, it also has significant economic costs for
individuals, families, and the country as a whole. Smoking-related illnesses
place a considerable strain on the healthcare system, and the lost productivity
due to illness and premature death imposes a significant economic burden on
the country (World Health Organization, 2021).
To address the issue of smoking in PNG and globally, public health
interventions are necessary. These interventions include public education
campaigns to raise awareness of the risks of smoking, tobacco taxation to
increase the price of cigarettes, and the implementation of policies to restrict
tobacco advertising and promotion. These measures have been effective in
reducing smoking rates in many countries worldwide (World Health
Organization, 2021).
Smoking is responsible for various health problems, including lung cancer,
cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and type two diabetes.
The most common health problems associated with smoking across PNG and
the world include lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). COPD is a chronic lung disease that makes it difficult for people to
breathe. This condition causes coughing and breathlessness, which may be
severe, leading to disability and death. According to (World Health
Organization, 2021) people who smoke cigarettes and beedis, which are
prevalent in PNG, have a higher likelihood of developing COPD.
In PNG, smoking is a significant public health issue, with over 30% of the adult
population smoking. Despite the country’s increasing awareness of the health
risks associated with smoking, the problem persists (World Health
Organization, 2021). Many factors contribute to the continuation of the
smoking practice, including the influence of advertising, the easy availability of
cigarettes and beedis, and low taxation on tobacco products. The PNG
government has, however, taken some steps to address these issues and create
a smoking-free environment.
The PNG government implemented the Tobacco Control Act in 2012, making it
illegal to smoke in public spaces such as restaurants, bars, and other indoor
spaces. These measures, coupled with other efforts, have aimed to reduce
smoking rates among the population. However, despite the efforts, the
antismoking campaigns face challenges. These challenges are similar to those
experienced by other countries worldwide, and include lack of awareness, weak
enforcement of tobacco control policies, and the lobbying by the tobacco
industry (Department of Health, 2017).
Smoking also poses a significant economic burden on individuals, families and
countries. It is estimated that smoking costs the global economy more than
$1.4 trillion every year. This cost includes the cost of treating smoking-related
illnesses, productivity losses due to premature deaths or disability, and
environmental damage caused by smoking (World Health Organization, 2021).
In some family and households almost 1quarter of the budget is spent on
smoking alone. When both father and mother of the house spent money on
smoking, their own kids are starving from a good and healthy diet. That’s why
some families are always seen as poor every time because of such unwise
spendings on things that later turns to harm them. Smoking cause most fetal
illnesses and the treatment is very expensive. In PNG, the annual medical cost
associated with smoking is estimated to be around K12 million (Department of
Health, 2017).
The rate at which new smokers become part of the group is growing rapidly so
as the places where they live, go for work, spent most times and even the
public places are getting filled up with different types of rubbish such as smoke
butts, smoke packets, damaged lighters as well as box and stick matches,
different colored papers, empty can drink, etc... Such places won’t be
conducive for living, working and spending leisure times (Hou et al., 2015).
Places of such as well provide breeding grounds for different causative agents
for diseases. As the saying goes, “A place where people find conducive is a
place where more new knowledge evolved and a country is moving forward.”
Most people who are addicted to smoking view themselves as slow learners in
schools and other aspects of life when it comes to learning new things. In other
words, their brain took time or is very slow to process information (Hou et al.,
2015). Being regarded as slow learners has caused these groups of people to
have the feeling of being neglected by people, family members and even the
societies so every time they get to isolate themselves from the society and do
things that is not right however, they thought everything they do is right
because sometimes there is no one kind enough to correct them and advice to
quit what they do that is affecting them. The feeling of being sleepy, tired and
weak always rush in to become part of their daily routine (Hou et al., 2015).
Smoking is particularly harmful to vulnerable populations such as pregnant
women, children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. Pregnant
women who smoke is more likely to give birth to premature babies, and the
babies are more likely to have a lower birth weight, leading to long-term health
consequences. Most Papua New Guinea women as well as some women from
other countries whom are pregnant are so ignorant and very stubborn to follow
small health advice and talks given to them by health workers during their
antenatal visits. Similarly, children exposed to second-hand smoke and the
ones who are directly affected by taking in smokes from adults, peer groups
due to the changing trend westernization is going, are more likely to suffer from
respiratory diseases such as asthma, ear infections, and sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS) (Hou et al., 2015). In PNG, second hand smoke contributes to
the high rates of respiratory infections, particularly among children.
There is a need for robust public education campaigns to increase awareness
about the dangers of smoking among vulnerable populations. The campaigns
aim to encourage people to quit smoking or discourage them from starting.
Such campaigns have been successful in countries such as Australia, where
they have contributed to a significant reduction in smoking rates over the past
few decades. In Papua New Guinea we have good number of Non-Government
Organization such as World Vision and other Church Based Organizations that
would stand back-to-back with the National Department of Health (NDoH). The
focus of every health organization should be on smoking as a major public
health issue because the diseases associated are preventable and can be
eradicated one way or the other hence, more resources and funds can be used
for non- preventable diseases for proper and better equipment as well as
medications (Asbridge, 2004).

To conclude, smoking remains a significant public health issue that affects

individuals at all levels of society in Papua New Guinea and globally. Multiple
evidence-based approaches are required to address smoking-related public
health outcomes, including smoking prevention programs, taxation, smoking
cessation, and tobacco industry regulation (Hou et al., 2015). The government,
non-governmental organizations, and the private sector have a critical role to
play in strengthening tobacco control measures, reducing smoking prevalence,
and curbing the associated public health costs. Implementing tobacco control
measures, such as smoking cessation programs, higher tobacco taxes, and
marketing restrictions, can yield positive outcomes, including improved public
health, social and economic benefits to individuals, communities, and the
nation(Hou et al., 2015). It is, therefore, imperative that the government, non-
governmental organizations, and the public work together to prevent and
control smoking-related morbidity and mortality. PNG and other countries
globally must continue to implement policies aimed at reducing smoking rates,
educate their populations about the dangers of smoking, and provide support
for those trying to quit smoking. Such measures will ensure that people can
enjoy healthy and productive lives free from the burden of smoking-related
illnesses.

Reference:

National Department of Health. (2017). Global Adult Tobacco Survey Fact Sheet Papua New
Guinea 2016-17. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/tobacco/surveillance/survey/gats/2016-
2017/png_fs.pdf

World Health Organization. (2021). Tobacco. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-

topics/tobacco#tab=tab_1

Asbridge, M. (2004). Public place restrictions on smoking in Canada: Assessing the role of the
state, media, science and public health advocacy. Social Science & Medicine, 58(1), 13–24.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(03)00154-0
Hou, X., Xu, X., & Anderson, I. (2015). Determinants of Tobacco Consumption in Papua New
Guinea: Challenges in Changing Behaviours. Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies, 2(2), 255–265.
https://doi.org/10.1002/app5.85