New control act for Papua

Papua New Guinea’s Tobacco Control Act 2016, which has passed into law, will usher in much greater tobacco product control, according to a story in Papua New Guinea Today quoting the National Department of Health (NDoH).

NDoH secretary, Pascoe Kase, said the Act granted power to the Governor General to nominate the dates the various parts of the Act should come into operation.

“This allows for an organized implementation process which considers the impact on affected people and businesses,” he said

The Act, which was passed in October 2016, is aimed at regulating the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale and use of tobacco.

“Tobacco use is a global problem and the human consequences are devastating,” Kase was quoted as saying. “This is an important and exciting law reform for PNG.

“Our poorest people are hit hardest by the effects of smoking.”