Health & Partners marked World No Tobacco Day 2026

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), together with health partners, on 8^th June commemorated World No Tobacco Day 2026 under the theme: “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”

Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Morris Toiraena said World No Tobacco Day 2026 serves as a time for critical reflection and renewed commitment to combating one of the most preventable public health threats—tobacco use and nicotine addiction.

He said this year’s theme challenges everyone to move beyond awareness and take action against the deceptive tactics used by the tobacco and nicotine industries.

“It urges us to expose and dismantle the deceptive strategies employed by tobacco and nicotine companies—tactics designed to attract new users, particularly our young people,” Minister Toiraena said.

Despite growing awareness of the dangers of tobacco use, the Minister noted that the industry continues to evolve and aggressively target young people in an effort to replace the millions of users who quit or die each year.

“These tactics include attractive packaging, flavoured products, influencer marketing, and the use of social media and streaming platforms to reach children and adolescents directly,” he said.

The Minister expressed concern over the increasing sale of illegal e-cigarettes (vapes), often marketed with misleading health claims, and warned that such products exploit regulatory gaps to addict young people.

“A product known as Copen has also emerged as a growing concern among schoolchildren. In response, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services will strengthen collaboration with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to address the illegal sale, distribution and packaging of such harmful substances.

“The MHMS is fully committed to identifying and prosecuting illegal vendors to safeguard the health and future of our young people. In a nation of just over 780,000 people, every life matters. We cannot afford to ignore this silent epidemic.

“Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which claim between six and eight lives every day in Solomon Islands,” he said.

Minister Toiraena highlighted findings from the 2011 Global Youth Tobacco Survey and the 2015 STEPS Survey, which revealed alarmingly high rates of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke among both young people and adults.

He added that clinical data indicate tobacco use contributes to one death every two days—equivalent to approximately 15 deaths per month, 180 deaths per year, and 1,800 deaths over the past decade.

“These are not just statistics. They are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends and neighbours. Each loss brings pain to a family, weakens our communities and robs our nation of its future.

“To truly address this crisis, we must shift our perspective—from numbers to names, from data to dignity. This is more than a health issue; it is a matter of justice, compassion and national urgency.”

The Minister stressed that tobacco remains a leading cause of heart disease, cancer, stroke and respiratory illness. However, he warned that the industry is increasingly promoting new nicotine products under the guise of innovation.

“E-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and flavoured nicotine pouches are being promoted as safer alternatives. But let us not be deceived. These are not tools for cessation; they are tools for addiction.

“With sweet flavours, attractive packaging and persuasive advertising, these products are strategically marketed to children and teenagers. They are presented as harmless and fashionable, but in reality they pave the way for lifelong addiction and irreversible harm.”

Minister Toiraena reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting public health and preventing tobacco and nicotine industries from undermining national health gains.

“We will not allow the tobacco and nicotine industries to disguise addiction as innovation. We will not allow them to prey on our youth, influence our policies or reverse our public health progress. Though we are a small nation, we are not powerless. We are resilient, and today I reaffirm the Ministry’s strong commitment to this fight.”

He outlined the Ministry’s key commitments, which include:

• Strengthening the Tobacco Control Technical Advisory Committee (TCTAC) to lead national advocacy efforts;

• Reviewing and updating the Tobacco Act 2010 to align with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC);

• Protecting children and young people through education and strict enforcement of bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship;

• Promoting smoke-free environments in schools, workplaces and public spaces;

• Preventing industry interference, including rejecting misleading corporate social responsibility campaigns;

• Increasing taxes and licensing fees to reduce affordability and consumption; and

• Ensuring transparency and accountability through annual reporting requirements for all tobacco-related entities.

The Minister emphasised that government action alone will not be enough to address the issue.

“Our national strategy depends on partnership and shared responsibility,” he said.

He called on parents and caregivers to speak with their children, teachers and school leaders to educate and lead by example, health workers to provide counselling and support, civil society and faith-based organisations to advocate for change, and the media and private sector to amplify accurate information.

“Together, we must build a culture of prevention, resilience and truth.

“We must challenge misinformation. We must empower our communities to make informed choices.

“To the tobacco and nicotine industry, we say: We see through the mask. We will not be deceived.

“And to our youth, we say: You deserve better. You deserve truth. You deserve a future free from addiction.

“Let us stand united—strong, informed and unwavering—as we unmask the appeal, expose the tactics and protect the next generation.”

Meanwhile, other guest speakers at the event also highlighted the harmful impacts of tobacco products and reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside the Ministry in combating tobacco use and protecting public health.

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