THE WHO has just released a new report showing the impact of tobacco on the environment.

Speaking during celebrations marking World Tobacco Day, WHO representative to the country, Dr Sevil Huseynova said the report shows that waste from tobacco contains over 7,000 toxic chemicals that poisons the environment.

She said tobacco smoke emission release thousands of tons of human carcinogens, toxicants and greenhouse gases into the air.

Adding that tobacco waste is the biggest cause of rubbish globally. Up to 10 billion of the 15 billion cigarettes sold daily are thrown away in the environment.

Dr Huseynova continued that Cigarette butts account for 30 to 40 percent of all items collected in coastal and urban clean-ups.

She said this is a big issue for Solomon Islands. It is clear that tobacco use does threaten the health and environment of the Solomon Islands. This inhibits the ability of the government and the people to grow and prosper.

Dr Huseynova said tobacco control, however can be a powerful tool in improving health in communities and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She said another SDG target calls for implementation of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control.

Dr Huseynova highlighted that the Framework came into force in 2005, and its Parties have committed to taking actions that will reduce demand and supply of tobacco products.

She said there are 180 Parties to the Convention, and Solomon Islands is one of them. That’s why WHO and the Ministry of Health are working hard on Tobacco control.

“We are working together on a new policy to enforce the Tobacco Act of 2012, which makes it illegal to smoke in public places like buses, taxis and markets.

“Not only does this initiative discourage smokers, it also protects the public from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

“The Tobacco Act prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, as well as the sale of cigarettes to minors.

“We understand that this Act alone is not enough. We need strong strategies to enforce the law,” Dr Huseynova.

She said that’s why WHO is also supporting the ministry of health as it develops a Tobacco Control Enforcement Policy and training package, which will be rolled out in the coming months.

“I am confident that this initiative, alongside our many other efforts to control and prevent non-communicable diseases, will make a big difference,” Dr Huseynova said.