In this bulletin:
1. PNG — Papua New Guinea says it will shut Taiwan’s rep office, winning praise from China
2. PACIFIC — West losing battle for influence in Asia-Pacific, warns Australian envoy
3. FIJI — TNG appeals rejection of $1.4 billion Vuda waste-to-energy project
4. PNG — Advocates urge Australia to save Iranian asylum seeker ‘left to suffer’ in PNG
5. FIJI — MP Usamate criticises Cabinet size, Fiji Government defends costs
6. PACNEWS BIZ — Trump Administration launches first deep sea mining lease sale despite Pacific opposition
7. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji Parliament passes 2026-2027 National Budget
8. PACNEWS DIGEST — Assessing Samoa’s mangrove carbon stock for climate change mitigation and adaptation
9. PACNEWS DIGEST — Sustaining measles elimination: Vanuatu puts preparedness to the test
10. PACNEWS DIGEST — Unmasking the appeal, revealing tobacco’s many harms
PNG – DIPLOMACY: REUTERS PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Papua New Guinea says it will shut Taiwan’s rep office, winning praise from China
PORT MORESBY/BEIJING/TAIPEI, (REUTERS)— Papua New Guinea’s foreign minister said the government had decided to close Taiwan’s representative office in the country immediately, winning praise from China, although the government in Taipei said the office would remain open.
The Pacific has long been an area for diplomatic competition between China and Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory with no right to the trappings of a state. The democratically ruled island rejects China’s sovereignty claims.
Posting on his Facebook page, Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the “physical presence of Chinese Taipei will no longer be recognised or required within the jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea”, using the name Taiwan uses for certain international bodies like APEC.
Tkatchenko said he had told the Chinese ambassador, Yang Xiaoguang, this week of the decision, and that Papua New Guinea viewed this “administrative alignment” as a vital step towards elevating ties.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said the move had not been discussed in advance and that it would talk to the Papua New Guinea government.
“Our representative office in Papua New Guinea will continue to operate normally and, in accordance with relevant regulations, safeguard our nation’s rights and interests and provide necessary services to our nationals,” it said.
The ministry added that it had contacted “like-minded countries to seek the international community’s attention and support”, without giving details.
China’s foreign ministry said the move was “highly appreciated” by its government.
The “right decision” to close Taiwan’s office would “further consolidate political foundation for the development of China-PNG bilateral relations”, China’s embassy in Papua New Guinea said.
Papua New Guinea very briefly had diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1999.
Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only three Pacific Islands nations – Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands – but had maintained a de facto embassy in Papua New Guinea. It also has a similar office in Fiji.
In 2020, a Taiwanese diplomat ended up in hospital in Fiji after two Chinese diplomats stormed into a reception trying to gather information on who was attending.
Only 12 countries maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan…..PACNEWS
PAC – DIPLOMACY: AFR PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Jul 2026
West losing battle for influence in Asia-Pacific, warns Australian envoy
TOKYO, 17 JULY 2026 (AFR)—The United States and its allies are “gradually losing” the contest against China’s campaign of military pressure and economic coercion in the Asia-Pacific, Australia’s Ambassador to Japan has warned.
Andrew Shearer, a former Office of National Intelligence boss in Canberra, told an international conference in Tokyo that Western democracies were struggling to respond to China’s military build-up and soft-power influence across South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands, despite better co-operation and defence spending.
“We’re seeing increasingly concerted efforts to unpick the regional order, to strip it away, strip away its more liberal characteristics, and over time unpick the U.S alliance system … and replace it with a more illiberal, more hierarchical, and inherently more coercive order,” Shearer told a conference organised by the Japan Institute of International Affairs.
“I think that’s a very difficult problem set for us to respond to as Western liberal democracies. I think, if you’re objective, you would say we are sort of gradually losing some of that contest.”
Shearer’s warning comes a day after former Australian prime minister and U.S ambassador Kevin Rudd cautioned that Chinese President Xi Jinping could seek to seize Taiwan as early as 2028 if Beijing sees a lack of resolve by Washington to intervene militarily.
Rudd argued that a “bout of excessive self-confidence” by Xi, combined with US and Taiwanese elections in 2028, could create a dangerous window for miscalculation.
It also comes amid media reports that China is war-gaming such a move on Taiwan, and America’s possible response, using exact replicas of US warships and fighter jets in the remote Taklamakan Desert in the north-west of the country.
Chinese academic Da Wei told the conference that Beijing viewed reunification with Taiwan as inevitable and legitimate.
“China think ‘it’s my right’,” he said. “Without Taiwan, we do not feel peaceful. With Taiwan, with acceptable costs, we would have eventual peace.”
The U.S and its allies argue China’s military expansion and grey-zone tactics are undermining the post-war regional order, while Beijing insists it is pursuing legitimate security interests as a major regional power.
Former U.S under-secretary of defence Robert Wilkie told the Tokyo conference that Washington’s alliance network remained resilient despite concerns that President Donald Trump was pulling back. However, he said other countries in the region had to pull their weight.
“The war in Ukraine has told us that a smaller nation, without a navy, can sink a navy. A smaller nation without a strategic air force can destroy 40 per cent of the strategic air force of a stronger country,” he said.
“That’s what Ukraine is telling us. That’s what we have to do in order to restore that semblance of balance.”
Shearer said China’s expanding military footprint was becoming ever more visible.
He said the recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine deep into the Pacific reflected a broader pattern of military expansion.
“We’re also, of course, seeing the increasing overuse of both conventional and, in a coercive sense, nuclear capability in the region,” Shearer said.
“But that’s part of a broader pattern, of course, of increasing [People’s Liberation Army] power projection deep into the Indian Ocean.
“And I think together these developments really are driving much of the uncertainty, the friction, and the increased miscalculation risk that we are experiencing at the moment.”
He said the launch was not an isolated event but part of a broader expansion of China’s military reach.
“Despite talk of strategic stability between the first and second most powerful countries in the world, I do not see a genuine move towards creating the sort of strategic stability that was in place for much of the Cold War.
“And also I think concerning [that] the threshold for conflict has come down in recent years, and that is something that should worry us all,” Shearer said…PACNEWS
FIJI – INCENRATOR PROJECT: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Jul 2026
TNG appeals rejection of $1.4 billion Vuda waste-to-energy project
SUVA, 17 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN) —The company behind the proposed $1.4 billion (US$700 million) waste-to-energy project at Vuda Point in Lautoka has taken its fight to the Environment Tribunal after the Fiji Department of Environment rejected its development proposal.
The appeal by The Next Generation (TNG) Holdings (Fiji) Pte Limited was mentioned before the Environment Tribunal at the Suva Magistrates Court, with Magistrate Charles Ratakele presiding.
TNG lawyer Feizal Haniff told the court the appeal had been filed and the appeal documents had been served on the Department of Environment.
Magistrate Ratakele ordered the Ministry of Environment, represented by lawyer Pete Bauleka, to file its response to the company’s grounds of appeal within 14 days, by the close of business on 30 July.
TNG is challenging the Department of Environment’s decision to reject its proposal to develop a waste-to-energy facility and private port at Vuda Point.
The proposed project aims to convert waste into a domestic source of energy, with the company saying it would help manage waste while generating electricity. The development has been valued at about $1.4 billion (US$700 million).
The Environment Tribunal will consider submissions from both parties before deciding whether the Department of Environment’s decision should be upheld or overturned.
The matter was adjourned to 13 August…PACNEWS
PNG – ASYLUM SEEKERS: NEWS.COM.AU PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Advocates urge Australia to save Iranian asylum seeker ‘left to suffer’ in PNG
PORT MORESBY, 17 JULY 2026 (NEWS.COM.AU) —Australians have been left reeling after pictures of a seriously ill asylum seeker languishing in an offshore detention centre were made public.
Hatam Yekta, 36, from Iran attempted to reach Australia by boat in 2013 but never made it.
He was first sent to Manus Island but is now at Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea.
Activists say his health is rapidly deteriorating with activists warning he “may only have days to live”.
However, Australia has argued that it is Papua New Guinea’s responsibility to care for the 60 asylum seekers under the offshore detention programme.
Refugee Action Coalition say Yekta is one of 10-12 other refugees who are suffering from “serious mental health” conditions.
The charity urging the government to bring Yetka to Australia under medical evacuation legislation that was repealed in December, 2019 right after his application was approved.
In the last two weeks, “hundreds of letters, emails and phone calls have been made to Labor, Green, and independent MPs”, the organisation’s spokesperson Ian Rintoul said
Calling for immediate action, Rintoul said it was “simply unconscionable” to leave Yekta without the medical help that he desperately needs.
“The injustice of leaving Hatam to die in PNG is obvious. The humanitarian thing to do is to bring Hatam to Australia,” he said.
He claimed Labor had a “particular responsibility” towards Yekta, because he was sent to the detention centre under their government, and the medivac legislation was also introduced under their government that brought some asylum seekers to safety in 2019.
“The Australian Government does not have any role in the ongoing management for individuals remaining in PNG,” the Department of Home Affairs told RNZ Pacific last month.
“The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government is responsible for the management of individuals remaining in PNG who were formerly under regional processing arrangements.”
More than 7,000 people have signed a petition for urgent intervention and immediate medical evacuation of Yekta.
Many are expressing their shock at the sight of his photographs.
Two weeks ago, refugees from the detention centre who are now settled in New Zealand, protested outside the Australian consulate in Auckland calling for an urgent intervention.
Rintoul said, “time is running out,” calling Home Affairs minister Tony Burke to take immediate action.
A Senate inquiry into Australia’s offshore processing and resettlement arrangements began November last year.
Testimonies submitted to the inquiry exposed the harsh conditions, severe physical and psychological harm that asylum seekers endured in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
The inquiry led by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee submitted a report on 02 July, calling for transparency, regular audits and due diligence measures.
However, the recommendations have been criticised by human rights and refugee advocates who have said they were “simply not enough”.
In a joint statement multiple organisations including Refugee Council of Australia, and Human Rights Law centre have called for the end of detention centres saying they caused “profound and ongoing harm”.
“People have died, children have been harmed, families have been torn apart, countless lives have been destroyed and billions of dollars in public money have flowed through contracts that remain shrouded in secrecy,” they said.
Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director, Laura John said the inquiry was a “missed opportunity” to end more than a decade of corruption and deliberate cruelty towards asylum seekers and refugees….PACNEWS
FIJI – CABINET: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 1: Fri 17 Jul 2026
MP Usamate criticises Cabinet size, Fiji Government defends costs
SUVA, 17 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN) —Independent Member of Parliament Jone Usamate has criticised the size of Fiji’s Cabinet, saying almost every Government backbencher is either a Minister or an Assistant Minister and describing the arrangement as “unheard of in the world”.
Speaking during the 2026-2027 National Budget debate in Parliament on Wednesday, Usamate said the large Cabinet was a major driver of Government expenditure at a time when the country faced a $1.481 billion(US$740 million) deficit.
“Almost all of you in Government is either a Minister or an Assistant Minister,” he said.
“The size of Government is bloated. Ministers, Assistant Ministers, tripping over each other’s feet, not knowing what to do.”
Usamate also argued Fiji’s civil service was too large, citing figures he said showed about 42,000 public servants serving a population of about 937,000.
He compared Fiji with New Zealand, claiming Fiji had 47 civil servants per 1,000 people compared with New Zealand’s 12 public servants per 1,000 people.
Usamate said Government needed to reduce expenditure rather than expand it, given declining revenue and rising debt.
“There are only two things we can do. One is to grow the economy… the other way is to cut expenses. Right now, that is what needs to be done”
In his Budget reply, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel defended the Government’s cost-saving measures, pointing to a 20 percent reduction in ministers’ salaries and lower operational spending across ministries as evidence the Government was “leading by example” before asking Fijians to tighten their belts.
Immanuel also reiterated that while Government had considered reducing the number of Assistant Ministers, it concluded the positions were necessary to support parliamentary and legal responsibilities.
He said the 20 percent salary reduction could be increased to as much as 50 percent if economic conditions worsened…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – DEEP SEA MINING: GREENPACE PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Trump Administration launches first deep sea mining lease sale despite Pacific opposition
WASHINGTON,17 JULY 2026 (GREENPEACE)—The Trump administration has announced a proposed deep sea mining lease sale in federal waters near American Samoa, marking the world’s first attempt to commercially mine the deep sea.
The move is a major step toward opening U.S waters to commercial deep sea mining and comes despite mounting opposition from Pacific Indigenous leaders, Pacific communities, and civil society groups.
Arlo Hemphill, Greenpeace USA Oceans Are Life Campaign Lead, said: “The Trump administration is attempting to launch the world’s first commercial deep sea mining lease sale despite clear opposition from Pacific communities and major unanswered scientific questions. Pacific peoples are being asked to shoulder the risks of a destructive new industry enabling corporations to chase profits in one of the last wild places on earth.”
The announcement comes after American Samoa imposed a moratorium on seabed mining in its waters and formally opposed federal proposals to mine the outer continental shelf near the territory. An April document issued by the newly redesignated Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) outlined plans for lease sales in American Samoa in August 2026 and indicated funding for tribal and Pacific Islands outreach would only follow the lease sales, a clear breach in the consultation of affected communities.
“The federal government is moving forward with a decision affecting Pacific communities before meaningful consultation has even begun — scheduling outreach after the lease sale, not before it,” added Hemphill.
Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, founder of American Samoa’s Finafinau Foundation said: “Pacific people have made our position clear: we do not want deep sea mining in our waters. Yet the Trump administration is forcing this industry on our communities – imposing decisions that could affect us permanently without consulting us. Our ocean is our home, our food, our culture, and our future, and we are calling on the Administration to stop this reckless lease sale before irreversible harm is done.”
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which were also identified in MMA documents for future lease sales, have similarly expressed opposition to deep sea mining proposals. Their opposition includes a recent call by both governors for a moratorium on the practice. More than 3,000 residents from U.S territories have signed petitions opposing the industry’s launch in the region. And on June 5th the governor of Guam signed a ban in nearshore waters under territorial control.
Solomon “Uncle Sol” Pili Kahoʻohalahala, a Native Hawaiian Elder of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Advisory Council and Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group, said: “The Pacific has already seen what happens when governments and corporations treat our ocean as something to exploit instead of a living system that sustains our people. Indigenous leaders across the Pacific are standing together against deep sea mining because we know the risks will not stop at our shorelines. The ocean connects our communities across generations, and Pacific peoples will continue protecting it.” ….PACNEWS
FIJI – BUDGET: FIJI SUN PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Fiji Parliament passes 2026-2027 National Budget
SUVA, 17 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji’s Parliament has passed the $4.237 billion (US$2.118 billion) 2026-2027 National Budget after a week of debate, approving the government’s spending plans for the financial year ending 31 July 2027.
The Appropriation Bill 2026 was passed after 35 Members of Parliament voted in favour, 10 voted against and 10 did not vote.
Announcing the result, Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko said: “The result of the vote, 35 ayes and 10 noes, and 10 did not vote. The Appropriation Bill is hereby passed.”
The Bill appropriates $4,237,073,252(US$2,118,536,6260) for the ordinary services of Government for the year ending 31 July 2027.
Following the vote, the Speaker acknowledged the contributions made during the Budget debate.
“Parliament has officially passed the 2026-2027 National Budget.”
“As I previously highlighted, this week-long deliberation stands as a cornerstone of our constitutional duty, ensuring transparency, accountability, and sound national planning. I extend my sincere appreciation to all the Members for your thoughtful engagement throughout this important process. Your contributions have been invaluable.”
The Speaker also congratulated Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel on the successful passing of the Budget.
“Let me also warmly congratulate the Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development… for the successful adoption of the National Budget,” he said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Assessing Samoa’s mangrove carbon stock for climate change mitigation and adaptation
APIA, 17 JULY 2026 (SPREP)— The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is working with the Government of Samoa to assess the carbon storage capacity and verify the condition of selected mangrove sites and ecosystems in Upolu and Savai’i.
The initiative supports Samoa’s climate commitments under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and contributes to strengthening national greenhouse gas accounting and climate resilience efforts.
SPREP though the Regional Pacific NDC Hub, in partnership with the Government of Samoa through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), are doing this through community consultations on the “Ground truthing of Mangrove areas in Samoa for Carbon Stock Management” project.
The first community consultation held on Thursday 09 July 2026 at the MNRE Conference Room, was attended by representatives from Falelatai, Vaitoloa, Vaiusu, Asaga, Palauli and Safata, who actively engaged in the discussions.
Mangroves and its ecosystems are among the world’s most effective natural carbon sinks, storing significant amounts of carbon, while also protecting coastline, supporting biodiversity and sustaining local livelihoods.
Su’emalo Talie Foliga, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Division of Environment and Conservation (DEC) highlighted the importance of this work for Samoa.
He said the success of this initiative depends on strong partnerships between government, communities and development partners/organisations.
“Our mangroves are not only important ecosystems for carbon sinks, but they are also an integral part of our local community livelihoods.”
Through this project, scientific field assessments will be combined with community knowledge to develop a clearer understanding of the role Samoa’s mangrove forests play in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
SPREP – Regional Pacific NDC Hub representative,Toiata Apelu-Uili highlighted that reliable data on mangrove carbon stocks will assist Samoa in improving climate reporting, informing conservation planning, and identifying opportunities for nature-based climate solutions.
Apelu-Uili echoes: “The project also contributes to regional efforts to strengthen climate action across Pacific Island countries.”
During the consultation, representatives from MNRE, SPREP, and the project consultancy team discussed the project objectives, implementation activities, expected outcomes and opportunities to strengthen the partnerships.
Amongst the implementation activities are field activities that will focus on priority mangrove areas across Samoa.
A key feature of the project is the active participation of local communities. Community survey, consultation will gather traditional and local knowledge on mangrove ecosystems, species identifications, ecosystem services, environmental changes and management practices.
SPREP, the Regional Pacific NDC Hub and MNRE acknowledge the invaluable contribution of participating communities and reaffirm their commitment to working collaboratively to protect Samoa’s mangrove ecosystems and environment for future generations.
Apelu-Uili also acknowledged SPREP’s valued partners for this work, including, SPC (Pacific Community), the Government of Australia and Sabrina Virly Consulting team. …. PACNEWS
For more information, contact Ms Vanda Faasoa Chan-Ting, Climate Change Mitigation Advisor vandac@sprep.org or Toiata Apelu – Uili, Pacific NDC Technical Officer toiatau@sprep.org
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Sustaining measles elimination: Vanuatu puts preparedness to the test
Measles elimination is not the end of the story. What happens before an outbreak begins is what protects every child.
PORT VILA, 17 JULY 2026 (WHO PACIFIC) — – Pacific Island countries achieved the milestone of measles and rubella elimination in 2025, and now Vanuatu is moving quickly to safeguard those hard-earned gains.
On 02 June 2026, the Ministry of Health, supported by WHO, brought together national and provincial health leaders to test how ready the country is to respond if measles returns.
Using a national simulation exercise (SIMEX), health teams worked through a realistic outbreak scenario designed to reflect the real-world risks posed by imported measles cases, test existing processes, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen national outbreak readiness.
“The simulation exercise has reinforced our commitment to ensuring that Vanuatu remains prepared for a potential measles outbreak. The recommendations generated through this exercise will guide targeted investments to strengthen surveillance, laboratory coordination, immunisation, risk communication, logistics, and emergency response systems, ultimately protecting the health of our communities,” said Director of Public Health Dr Jenny Stephen.
Preparedness is the frontline of health protection
Global measles outbreaks and the ease of travel across Pacific island countries mean that a single imported case can quickly escalate if health systems are not ready. In this context, preparedness is the frontline of protection.
Better preparedness means that when an outbreak happens, countries can respond faster, coordinate more effectively, and protect communities.
Preparedness at this level is essential. While measles has been eliminated in the Pacific, the threat has not disappeared.
Participant Wendy Williams, Manager of Surveillance, noted that “this simulation exercise has strengthened our capacity to detect and respond to measles outbreaks through improved surveillance, data-driven decision-making, and coordinated emergency response. The lessons identified will directly inform priority actions to enhance early warning systems and ensure a timely and effective response to future outbreaks.”
Simulations prepare teams for when an outbreak happens
The SIMEX began by alerting teams to an imported measles case. This initial case escalated to community transmission and spread to outer islands – challenging participants to act fast, coordinate effectively, and make decisions under pressure.
The exercise tested the full spectrum of outbreak response, including assessing surveillance and early warning systems, laboratory referrals and sample management, and the activation of rapid response teams.
Working through the complexities of contact tracing, vaccination response planning, and infection prevention and control, participants also navigated risk communication, media management, and cross-sector coordination at both national and provincial levels.
“This exercise is an important milestone in strengthening Vanuatu’s capacity to prevent and respond to measles outbreaks through coordinated planning and continuous improvement,” said National VDI Coordinator Simon Samson.
Vanuatu has strong emergency preparedness foundations to build on
Some of the key strengths of Vanuatu’s current system were:
*Surveillance capacity: health teams have a clear understanding of measles case definitions and notification procedures.
*Readiness to activate response mechanisms: there is a shared appreciation that speed and a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of immunization teams, surveillance officers, laboratory services, provincial health leaders and partners are critical to containing outbreaks.
*Vaccination support: vaccines are seen as the most effective tool for controlling transmission, reinforcing their central role in protecting communities.
*Strengthened collaboration and engagement: the exercise promoted coordination across the health system with Ministry of Health and partners, including WHO, reinforcing the collaborative efforts required to maintain elimination.
Turning learnings into strengths for the future
Crucially, the SIMEX did not end with observations; it resulted in key recommendations and actions to be implemented in the coming months to strengthen vaccination, incident management, laboratory preparedness, infection prevention and control, as well as risk communication and community engagement. The key recommendations and actions include:
*Operationalising the national measles outbreak preparedness and response plan
*improve the vaccination coverage for both doses
*strengthening surveillance sensitivity
*improving laboratory referral systems
*ensuring logistics readiness
*updating emergency communication systems
*conducting regular simulation and reviews of preparedness to maintain readiness over time.
Simulation exercises are practical tools that save lives
For Vanuatu, achieving measles elimination in the Pacific is a major milestone, but sustaining it requires constant vigilance, strong systems and continued investment in preparedness.
The lessons learned through the SIMEX provide a clear roadmap for sustaining measles elimination in Vanuatu and contribute to maintaining elimination across the greater Pacific. Because when it comes to measles, what happens before an outbreak begins is what makes all the difference.
“Elimination does not mean the risk is gone. It means we must stay ready. This exercise is about making sure Vanuatu can respond quickly and effectively to protect our people if measles returns,” said WHO Country Liaison Officer Dr Revite Kirition.
Acknowledgements
The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides technical support to the Vanuatu Ministry of Health through its WHO Country Liaison Office for Vanuatu, in collaboration with the WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support and the WHO South Pacific office. This work was made possible through the generous funding of the Australian Government, provided via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade….PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Unmasking the appeal, revealing tobacco’s many harms
HONIARA, 17 JULY 2026 (WHO PACIFIC) —Solomon Islands joined the rest of the world to condemn the harmful tactics of the tobacco industry in luring the youth towards tobacco and nicotine addiction.
Held to commemorate World No Tobacco Day, the event was graced by Morris Toiraena, Minister of Health and Medical Services, who issued a stern warning to the tobacco industry.
“We see through the mask. We will not be deceived,” said Minister Toiraena.
He also dispelled the use of e-cigarettes and flavored nicotine products as cessation tools, warning users not to be fooled.
“E-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and flavored nicotine pouches are being pushed as safer alternatives. These are not tools for cessation. They are tools for addiction. We will not allow the tobacco and nicotine industries to disguise addiction as innovation.”
Minister Toiraena reaffirmed the Ministry’s strong commitment to fight the tobacco and nictonie industries and pledged to: (1) strengthen the Tobacco Control Technical Advisory Committee to lead national advocacy efforts, (2) review and update the Tobacco Act 2010, aligning it with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, (3) protect children and young people through education and strict enforcement of bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, (4) promote smoke-free environments in schools, workplaces, and public spaces, (5) prevent industry interference, including rejecting misleading corporate social responsibility campaigns, (6) increase taxes and licensing fees to reduce affordability and consumption, and (7) ensure transparency and accountability, requiring annual reports from all tobacco-related entities.
Dr Sakthivel Selvaraj, WHO Solomon Islands Officer-in-Charge, called for protecting the youth from products and marketing designed to hook them early.
Calling for stronger action on flavors, advertising, promotion, and product design that increase appeal. He also urged stringent laws, tougher enforcement, wider community awareness and stronger support for people who want to quit, vowing WHO’s commitment to support the Government in this effort.
“Together, let’s unmask the appeal, expose industry’s tactics, and protect the health and future of our children and communities. Remember, the appeal is manufactured, but the harm is real,” said Dr Selvaraj.
In her message to the youth, Dr Tsogzolmaa Bayandorj, WHO Solomon Islands Technical Officer for NCDs said: “Don’t let tobacco marketing confuse you. “Tobacco‑free” doesn’t mean safe, “smooth” doesn’t mean weak. Nicotine is addictive in any form, and if you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you’re trying to quit, speak to your health clinic and health centres about safe and proven options such as patches, gum, and counseling. I urge you all to protect your health and your future by learning the facts.”
Haddasah Dowo, the youth representative, said: “The fight against tobacco is ultimately a fight for freedom—the freedom to live healthier lives, make informed choices, and pursue our dreams without addiction controlling our future. We are the generation that can unmask the appeal and expose the truth. Let us choose health over addiction. Let us choose awareness over deception. Let us choose life over tobacco.” ….PACNEWS
