The new set of pictorial health warnings for cigarette packages that would soon be implemented in Mauritius was unveiled by the Honorable Health Minister, Dr Anwar Husnoo during the launching of activities at the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) on Thursday 31 May 2018 in the context of the World No-Tobacco Day.  This year the health authorities collaborated with the MBC to mark this event.  The media as highlighted by different speakers is one of the important stakeholders in the fight against tobacco, especially with regards to sensitizing the population on the dangers of tobacco smoke.  The link between ‘Tobacco and Heart Diseases, theme chosen by the World Health Organization, was strongly emphasized during the launching ceremony.

The new pictorial health warnings, written in English and French, carry strong graphics and text messages that aim at sensitizing both smokers and non-smokers on health-related problems and diseases like lung cancer, heart diseases, gangrene and amputation, miscarriage and premature death, premature ageing, constituents of tobacco products and smoking cessation.  The present tobacco legislation would now be amended before the implementation of the new set of pictorial health warnings.

It is good to recalled that Mauritius was the first African countries to have implemented large pictorial health warnings on cigarette packages in 2009.  Subsequently, many other countries including Seychelles, Togo and Iran have requested permission to use the Mauritius pictorial health warnings in their respective countries.  The implementation of large pictorial health warnings on tobacco products is one of the recommendations of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) as it is a highly cost-effective measure to reduce tobacco consumption.  Mauritius is working on the implementation of plain packaging in a near future, another important requirement of the Convention which aims at counteracting the marketing strategies of the tobacco industry to attract smokers.

During his address, Dr A. Husnoo highlighted that ‘tobacco is now a pandemic and is responsible for 7 million of death globally’.  He emphasized the fact that tobacco smoke affects ‘the health of both smokers and non-smokers’.  The link between tobacco smoking and heart diseases was stressed upon by the Health Minister.  He further added that Mauritius is committed to implement feasible actions to reduce the risks of heart diseases and strokes among the Mauritian population.  He pointed out that tobacco smoking is responsible for 12% of the deaths worldwide caused by heart diseases.  According to the Health Minister, ‘smokers have no right to kill people who choose not to smoke’. 

‘Just imagine the quality of life of a person who happened to get a stroke following tobacco smoking’, said Honorable Dr A. Husnoo.   According to the Mauritius Non-Communicable Diseases Survey carried out in 2015, the prevalence of smoking among people aged 20 to 74 has decreased from 21% in 2009 to 19% 2015.  Figures obtained from the Mauritius Revenue Authority indicate a reduction in the importation of cigarettes in Mauritius from 1, 3 billion cigarette sticks in 2009 to 992 million sticks imported in 2017.  The Health Minister pointed out that tobacco kills 1000 people yearly in Mauritius and there are many people who suffer from tobacco-related diseases.

The Health Minister announced that new tobacco regulations would soon be promulgated to address new emerging tobacco issues like cross border advertising and promotion, flavoured and smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes among others as well as address current enforcement issues.  Mauritius is also planning to accede to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.  Dr A. Husnoo stated that ‘no-one should suffer or die of tobacco use’.  ‘Tobacco is a threat to everyone, irrespective of age, education or background’, he added.

Dr Laurent Musango, the WHO Representative in Mauritius during his address, congratulated Mauritius for having taken strong tobacco control policies and measures since the country ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2004.  The implementation of graphic health warnings on cigarette packages was cited as good example of such bold measures.  Dr L. Musango added that ‘Mauritius is serving as best practices as regards to the implementation of the graphic health warnings.’  He stated his appreciation in all the efforts deployed by the Government of Mauritius in raising taxes on tobacco products so that tobacco products in Mauritius become less affordable to smokers.

‘Mauritius is one of the rare countries where smoking cessation services are offered free of charge to smokers who want to quit smoking’, emphasized the WHO Representative in Mauritius.  The latter pointed out that marking the World No-Tobacco Day at the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation is very important as media is a key stakeholder and has a critical role to play in sensitizing the population on the dangers of tobacco smoke and in promoting anti-tobacco messages. 

Dr Musango highlighted that Mauritius needs to take further actions to reduce the prevalence of smoking and save lives.   The latter expressed his concern about to the enforcement of the present tobacco legislation, in particular the enforcement on the ban of smoking in public places.  He pointed out that it is the responsibility of the owner of a public place to ensure that no person smoke in the public place.  According to him, the law needs to be strengthened so that people are protected against tobacco smoke in public places.  ‘We have to act now’, he further added.  On the other hand, an appeal was made to the Health Minister to accelerate the process so that Mauritius could accede to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products and  implement other measures contained in the WHO FCTC.

The Chairman of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Beejhaye Ramdenee announced that the MBC would collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life to carry out an intensive media campaign using an adapted version of the six powerful anti-tobacco advertisements from Australia for sensitization of the population.  A screening programme on NCDs targeting the employees of the Corporation was scheduled on this occasion.