You Could Be The Reason Your Child Is Sick …

21st June 2016 Did you know?

1. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke; even brief exposure can be harmful to the health of adults and children. (World Health Organization. 2016. Tobacco Fact Sheet. Number 339. Available online: http:// who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs339/en/)
2. Secondhand smoke causes serious health problems to children, including asthma, ear infections and pneumonia. Secondhand smoke also doubles the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). (World Health Organization. 2016. Tobacco Fact Sheet. Number 339. Available online: http:// who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs339/en/)
3. Children of smokers are 7 times more likely to become smokers. (WHO/CDC Global School-based Student Health Survey, 2010)

As a parent, or guardian, it’s important you be equipped to take care of your child’s health and consequent future.

In support for the on-going “Tuku Ifi Leva” campaign, TongaHealth invites you to come get more informed and enabled about your role as the keeper of your child and become aware of the help available and laws that are in force with regards to tobacco use. Two 30-minute radio interviews are scheduled with Secretary of the Free Church of Tonga and Vice Chairperson of the Tobacco Advisory Committee Laki Pifeleti and Senior Tobacco Officer from the Ministry of Health Tupou Tuilautala.

The dates and time are as follows:

21^st June 2016: at 6pm, on A3Z

22^nd June 2016: at 7pm, on 87.5 FM Broadcom

The campaign “Tuku ifi Leva” (Quit Smoking Now) is a national health promotion campaign highlighting the dangers of Tobacco use and second-hand smoke. This campaign is supported and funded by the Government of Tonga, Government of Australia, World Health Organization and TongaHealth. TongaHealth is also funding and coordinating the Monitoring and Evaluation for this campaign. This funding is part of the five year, AUD$2.1 million dollar (TOP$3.2 million) agreement, between TongaHealth and the Government of Australia to support the implementation of Tonga’s National NCD Strategy 2015 – 2020.

Tobacco is also one of the four major risk factors that affect NCDs (non-communicable diseases) in Tonga, and is a vital part of the Hala Fononga ki ha Tonga Mo’ui Lelei – the National NCD Strategy 2015-2020.

TongaHealth as the national coordinating body and Secretariat for NCD activities in Tonga is responsible for ensuring a coordinated and integrated approach in the implementation of the National NCD strategy. Its role will include harmonizing funding streams for NCD prevention, strengthening communication and collaboration among implementing partners and strengthening the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of progress.

Tuku ifi Leva’s website is: http://www.tapuifitonga.com

Tonga Mo’ui lelei! Mo’ui Lelei, Mo’ui Fiefia!

Issued by the: Tonga Health