MPs query the testing of Tongan tobacco [1]
Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 09:36. Updated on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 16:37.
From the House, Minute No. 29, Tuesday 3 August 2004.
- Tongan Tobacco not included in Tobacco Act restriction if it was only for personal use.
Speaker - called for the first reading of the Bill for the establishment of the Qualification and Accreditation Board. It was passed 10-0.
After its second reading Sunia Fili move for the Bill to be tabled into the Committee for debate.
'Isileli Pulu ... said that according to a report from the British American Tobacco it paid out to government, $7 million last year. He said that the tax from tobacco imports paid for the $5.5 million allocation for salaries by the Ministry of Health.
'Akilisi Pohiva - proposed to be added onto to the warning message that smoking was not only bad for the health but it would also cause poverty.
Fineasi Funaki - said that if the government revenue from the importation of tobacco was $7 million, he wanted to know how much was government spending annually to combat the negative impact of smoking.
Dr Feleti Sevele - reminded the member that government also encouraged the establishment of the new tobacco factory in Tonga.
Minister of Health - told the house there was no country in the world where its revenue from tobacco exceeded its expenses on tobacco related problems.
After the lunch, there was no quorum and the proceedings were delayed by 15 minutes.
Minister of Health - responded to a comment made by 'Isileli Pulu before lunch that there was no need for a new Clause 7. He said that the new Clause 7 gave more details of the dangerous chemicals in cigarettes which were required to be listed on the packet.
'Isileli Pulu - wanted to know who would carry out the testing of the content of cigarettes, the manufacturer or government?
Minister of Health - said that the lab where the testing would be carried out would be mutually agreed to by WHO, and the World Bank. He said that the expenses for the testing would be paid for by the manufacturer.
'Akilisi Pohiva - wanted to know if Tongan tobacco would be tested.
Minister of Labour - did not think that Tongan tobacco would be included because of the testing of cigarettes where other chemicals have been added.
Minister of Justice - said that Tongan tobacco would not be included if someone grew some just for his own use, and not for sale. He said that once Tongan Tobacco was for sale then it has to go through the process as if it was manufactured cigarettes.
'Akilisi Pohiva - expressed his concern over the restriction of the selling of individual cigarettes at the shop. He said that it would be a nuisance for poor smokers who would have to try and get $8 so that he could buy a packet of cigarettes and then have a smoke.
Noble Tu'ivakano - said that the Chinese shop owner may be able to print health warning on the cigarettes so that he could sell them individually.
Charman - called for votes on proposed amendment to the Bill. It was carried 13-0.
The Committee resolved into Legislature.
Speaker - called for the second reading of the Bill. It was passed 13-0.
It had its third reading and it was also passed 13-0.