A new packet of candies for children depicting cigarettes is currently on sale in shops in Honiara.
Brought to limelight via social media, this packet of candy has sparked a public debate by those who saw it.
While the ‘No tobacco Control’ Act disallow promotion of any kind on tobacco products, this particular branding depicting cigarettes is a cause of concern by the public at large.
Clarifying to the discussion on social media, Pastor Geoffrey Alacky says the products are in total violation to the Tobacco Control Act 2010.
“First they are regarded as illicit products by first impression, second they didn’t meet out pictorial standard features.”
Alacky has been instrumental in getting the Tobacco Control legislation in place. He encourages those who come across these packet of candies depicting cigarettes to contact the Tobacco Control Unit on 25205.
An Anglican Priest also upon seeing these candies strongly condemn the sale of such an item for children.
“Everything is habitual. We are teaching our children to smoke and allowing them to take up such a habit by introducing it through candies.
“This shows just how weak our systems are, thus the initiation of such a product into our commercial sector.”
Most commenting in the forum discussion strongly called on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and responsible authorities to do something about this.
“Unethical advertisement. Please responsible authority remove those products,” a commentator said.
Dr Geoffrey Kenilorea, who is the focal point for tobacco control in the MHMS contributed to the Forum by saying, “they have a lawyer looking into the Tobacco control Act for provisions that capture these products”.
If you think this is cigarette, it is not. This is the latest sensationalised marketing strategy targeting children. Candies imitating cigarettes now on shelves in shops.
Concerns over smoke-like candies in shops, painting positive pictures on cigarettes
By Gary Hatigeva
If you think this is cigarette, it is not. This is the latest sensationalised marketing strategy targeting children. Candies imitating cigarettes now on shelves in shops.
PARENTS are concerned over the new set of candies currently being sold in many Chinese shops around Honiara.
While parents and schools are doing their best to discourage children from engaging in activities such as drinking and smoking, it is concerning that the new product will make the fight pointless as it paints a positive picture on smoking.
With this kind of marketing strategies, children will build a mindset that smoking is just like candy and that is a worry – when they choose to try the actual smokes.
Responsible authorities are however questioned as to why such products have been allowed to be imported in the first instance and be sold in shops.
Parents are calling on the rightful authorities to remove these products from shops as it is not helping at all.
“We struggle every now and then to teach our children not to smoke, and here you are, allowing a smoke like candy to be imported and sold on our shores.
“Get rid of them and tell those who export them to go sell all these rubbish somewhere else, not in our country.”
In addition, an unhappy parent in one of the local online forums expressed that he was surprise to see such a candy sold in the shops to our little ones.
“I am not against smokers but I can see this as an explicit good, harvesting the minds of innocent children.
“You don’t have to be a psychologist to realise the evil intentions of the manufacture of this product. By looking at this product, smoking is being introduced to our little ones as something good and safe, camouflaging its detrimental effects.”
He said while parents and schools try to educate children of the harmful effects of smoking, the candy is defeating this purpose.
“When I was a child, we could buy candy cigarettes in Australia, but they have been banned now for many years,” another member shared.
The product used to be a loved candy in the 60s and 70s, in many parts of the world, but has now been put a total ban as it now contravenes most the laws governing food and tobacco control, most of which are interrelated, and the Solomon Islands laws is no exception.
The product according to many is a dumped waste on Solomon shores as it has seemingly been banned from a lot of countries throughout the region and the world.
“These foreigners are using our vulnerability to bring in such products. How would you feel if a foreigner came to your yard and dumped a pile of garbage right in front of you? Would you just stand there and ignore what had just happened?”
According to health officials spoken to on this, the product should be banned as it is a form of promotion and advertisement to smoking, which is not allowed under our laws.
Officials explained that the smoke-like candy, or commonly referred to as a Cigarette Candy in many countries, can be referred to the Pure Food (Food Control) Regulations 2010, and the Solomon Islands tobacco act.
The Food Control Regulation is a supplement to the Solomon Islands Gazette that was adopted in 2010, and according to Part 5 Section 18 (1), pre-packaged food shall not be described or presented on any label or in any labelling in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character in any respect.
Subsection 5 of section 18 also ensures that necessary words or phrases are pointed out to avoid misleading or confusing consumers.
There are other related sections both in the regulation and the Pure Food Act 1996 that highlight the effects and seriousness of such matters and officials explained that any person who contravenes these laws and regulations are committing offences.
Part 5 highlights matters related to “Labelling, Advertising and Date Marking”, and this is also in consistence with other relevant sections in the Tobacco Act of Solomon Islands.
There are also concerns that though the product may not contain actual cigarette substances or materials, but its content, with high sugar contain, is just as harmful to the body.
The Customs and Excise being the country’s front line of defence and first point of contact to the imported products, is reminded to pull up their socks, and added that if they had properly done their job, the Cigarette Candy would not have made it to shelves in shops.
Those responsible are also called on to start making visits to shops and remove the highlighted products, at the same time push for it to be banned.
Following the revelation of this candy cigarette, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services through its responsible divisions will be holding a press conference with the local media to talk on the issue, whose officials thought the product should also be removed and banned.
“It may be a candy product but the nature or characteristics of its presentation is a pure decptive advertisement and promotiom of smoke brands, only that the manufacturers chose to use slight spelling tactics, but they still pronounce the exact names of actual branded cigarettes,” officials explained.
PRINCIPAL Magistrate Augustine Aulanga has granted bail for a man facing attempted murder charge, however with strict conditions.
On Tuesday the defence lawyer made an application for bail on behalf of his client, Andrew Guary Pegoa, and prosecution made no objection to the application but insisted that the court must consider imposing strict conditions on the accused.
Magistrate Aulanga in granting the bail told the accused to abide by the conditions; once he breaches any bail condition imposed by the court, the accused will be remanded in custody.
Aulanga further warns the accused that there would be no second chance if he breaches any condition and is re-arrested.
He urged the accused to attend all court hearings hereafter.
Pegoa will also not be allowed to move around during the night as a curfew from 7pm to 6am was also imposed yesterday with a cash bail of $500 before the accused was released from custody.
Prosecution told the court that investigation into the case has been completed and full disclosures served to the defence.
Meanwhile defence lawyer Mr Toofilu mentioned in court that they are intending to make a proposal to the Prosecution in regards to the charge.
Defence said they want to negotiate the current charge the accused is facing.
Magistrate Aulanga then adjourned the case to September 18 and to allow the defence make negotiation and also for instruction to obtained and plea can be entered on the next mention date.
Casket of late Harry Rini being escorted out of Maranatha Hall where the funeral service was held.
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
Casket of late Harry Rini being escorted out of Maranatha Hall where the funeral service was held.
THE Director of Engineering in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), known to most as Harry Rini, was bade farewell in a funeral service held at the Maranatha Hall on Monday.
The late Ralph Rini Lilo Harry joined the Government’s MID in 2005 and had been with the Ministry up to the time of his passing away.
Born on May 9, 1977, late Rini was described as a quiet spoken person but one knowledgeable in the field of civil engineering. These words were alluded by his relative Hon Danny Philip who spoke on behalf of the late Rini’s family. Philip said Rini is a tall quiet spoken fellow but one with authority. He revealed that Rini is the youngest of seven children.
Also speaking in the eulogy to the more than the 500 people present, an emotional permanent secretary says, ‘the public service has lost a great man and late Rini’s loss will be greatly felt by the government ministry’.
PS Maesiola said Rini has done a lot for the MID and he has left a void in the infrastructure ministry.
Director of Civil Engineering under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, Mr Harry Rini.
Also speaking in the eulogy, Mike Qaqara, Central Project Implementation Unit (CPIU) Director spoke of late Rini’s working life in the Ministry. He described late Rini as someone who is always there for his staff.
“Even as a Director, his door is always open to his staff,” Qaqara said.
The late Rini had been instrumental in his role as Director of Engineering and from time to time had often taken his time to clarify issues of national interest in the media.
His body was taken home in a chartered flight yesterday to his home in the Western province. The late Harry Rini is survived by his wife Ellen and children.
POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley says cybercrime is one main focus in the recent Police Chiefs meeting held in Nauru.
He said 21 Police chiefs around the Pacific attended the meeting.
He said during the meeting they looked at major crime threats and trends that affect the Pacific and how they can work together to tackle them, and this year’s focus on cybercrime was the important one.
“We look closely at the cybercrimes trends that are affecting the pacific countries and we were given some very good briefing on that as well as immerging threats around the areas of online sexual exploitation of children including things such as the online spreading of child abuse material which is something affecting a lot of countries around the region,” Varley said.
Also part of their discussions they also looked on how they can improve their cooperation on investigation and prosecution of online offending and also they looked at a recent study that was done with the support of the Australian Attorney General’s department and the Pacific Islands Law Officers Network PILON.
Varley said it was a study of the legislation gaps across the pacific in relation to Cybercrime and it is something that we need to look at very closely as compared to some countries we do have gaps in our legislations to address cybercrime.
Though have good coverage for offences against children but there are things we can learn from this field of expertise around the Pacific to make sure our legislation and procedures are up to date.
However the good news is the RSIPF are already preparing for increased exposure to cybercrime in the future with couple of cybercrime trainings already conducted for our officers with the support from Australian colleagues.
DEAR EDITOR, Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Communities is very concerned about the tabling of the Traditional Governance Facilitation Bill that is before the parliament.
Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community is the biggest Non-Government Organisation in Choiseul. It deals with Traditional Governance.
It is concerned because the government did not include it in their consultation in Lauru, but very selective and involved just a few chiefs that have been lured to hear just one side of what this bill is about but the implication of this bill on the power structure and traditional governance of Lauru.
In Lauru there are just over 300 tribes/clans a record that was compiled in early 1980’s.
This means that there are more than 3000 Chiefs of Tribal/Clan Heads Province.
These 300 Tribal/Clan heads must be consulted. Those heads consulted are not representative of all the heads of these Tribes/Clan but of themselves and very questionable their tribes.
Lauru Land Conference objects to this top down superimposed foreign structure.
Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community has been working on this for 38 years and therefore the authority on Traditional Governance in Lauru has not been consulted but it is a must that it is consulted.
Lauru Land Conference strongly believes that the area of Traditional Governance should be left to the people of each province to decide.
For Lauru as may be the case for other provinces, in practice traditional governance are further divided into tribes, clans, sub-clans, villages and communities.
Lauru does not have anything in its structure that equates to the word chief. These concepts are foreign concepts and not traditional.
As we advance each clan, province, must work out what is best for them and not be imposed upon by what is in the Bill.
LLCTC asks the government to pay due respect to clans, tribes, families etc. to decide.
LLCTC asks that the bill be withdrawn, and further inclusive consultation must be carried out first, especially when the bill targets customary land.
Improving of Traditional Governance in Lauru Custom is more than what this bill is targeting Customary Land, using improving traditional governance to hide this fact.
A new nationwide structure of “chiefs” in place, will make it so easy to go around existing processes whenever that is convenient, especially for development activities on customary land.
Already the logging companies are corrupting the Chiefs that will be empowered here over the ownership of tribal land and properties, something foreign and not traditional.
The Tribes own the land and not the Chiefs. The bill needs scrutiny by the people.
LLCTC agrees with our learned lawyers’ views that rushing this bill through the parliament is very irresponsible and is bad law making legislatures of this country.
As President of Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community I call on the Prime Minister to delay the tabling of this bill and take it back to the people for more wider inclusive consultation.
Lauru Land Conferences theme song is based on the equal participation of men and women of Lauru and this bill is the opposite and lack gender sensitivity.
Finally, in the final draft of the Federal Constitution which is now in the Office of the Constitutional Reform Unit, ready to be officially handed to the Prime Minister at its proposed ceremonial and historical event in Auki, Malaita Province, there is an authentic provision in the framework of a Community Government in every State Government.
In summary, Traditional Governance has its time, place, and customary authority in the Community Government, and to be rashly influenced by foreign interests as currently manipulated, is not only pre-empted the values of Lauru custom but is undermining the foundation of Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community.
DEAR EDITOR, I’ve seen a lot of government critics by people in the media on how the government of Solomon Islands practices governance, but I want to share my thoughts in reminding the governance actors on the old story of how good governance should behave in having an upright nation.
To become a well growth nation it is much depend on the government of the day whom practice governance, which it is a course of decision making that focuses on the formal/ informal actor and formal/informal structure by which decision is implemented.
I know the government of the day always ensures that whatever decision they’ve made must be acceptable for the people.
Governance has various Actors such as; government ministers, government department, civil servants, political parties, civil society, urban rich & poor, media, religious groups, traditional groups, international and regional organization. In order for Solomon Islands to become a better nation the governance actors must work together in one accord under certain tenets like; the actors must be accountable, responsive, transparent, efficient, impartial, participatory, follows the rule of the Law and consensus – oriented which depict the fruit of good governance.
With that I cannot deny Solomon Island as a better nation if the Actors are interrelated in their operation under the eight principles which mention above that show a country with good governance practice.
DEAR EDITOR, the Executive of the Fataleka Peoples Power had met last Sunday Sept 2, 2018 at Rufoki community to decide on the second phase of the People’ Power Process that will lead towards the pre-election of a candidate to represent the people of West Fataleka in the upcoming General Election which will fall in 2019.
The Executive has call on all communities in West Fataleka to come up with a candidate they wish to represent their community in this upcoming pre-election which will be officiated sometimes in December this year when many people are coming back for their Christmas holidays and celebrations.
The Executive wish to remind all citizens of West Fataleka regarding the process of choosing a community representative or candidate for the pre-election.
First a letter of notice will be written and circulated to all the communities in West Fataleka reminding the communities to nominate a candidate they wish to represent them in the pre-election.
The qualifications of a candidate who wish to contest in the West Fataleka pre-election process are as follows:
The candidate must be a West Fataleka citizen
The candidate must be endorsed by two prominent leaders and the people in the community where he or she represents
The candidate must be registered in one of the communities in West Fataleka
The candidate must send the pre-election form signed by the community leaders before the closing dated which will be decided later by the People’s Power Committee.
The People’s Power Committee also appeals for interested West Fataleka citizens in Honiara who wish to context in the pre-election must go through the same process if they wish to contest in the General Election.
The committee currently is making series of awareness program regarding the process.
The committee calls on the people of West Fataleka to respect and appreciate the process.
THE Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has warned intending candidates or their agents from influencing the Voter Registration process.
In a press statement, SIEC said the BVR update exercise must be carried out freely without influence.
“People must register freely base on their legitimate area of residence,” the statement said.
SIEC said intending candidates or candidate agents found to be influencing the Voter Registration process such as encouraging people to register in constituencies where they do not reside, will face consequential punishments in accordance with the new electoral laws.
SIEC also appeals to eligible registrants to do the right thing by registering where they reside.
“Do not be influenced by anyone, because you risk being removed from the electoral roll if caught.”
SIEC calls on intending candidates and voters to do the right thing.
“Let’s allow the process to be executed freely and smoothly. Do not influence the process and do not be influenced.”
SIEC warned that during the displaying of the provisional list, people will check for names that appear in constituencies or VRCs.
“Therefore if your name appears in a VRC or under a polling station but you do not reside in that area, your name will be objected to during the process of Omission and Objection.
“It is therefore safe for people to register where they reside to avoid missing out in the upcoming National General Election.
The Nation-wide BVR update started today September 3rd, 2018 and ends on September 27th.
SIEC urges eligible voters to look out for registration teams in their respective constituencies in order to register to vote.
United Party Interim President Peter Kenilorea Jnr.
THE Solomon Islands United Party is calling on the government to quickly carry out the process of installing a Commissioner of Elections to oversee the Registration of Political Parties.
Speaking to Island Sun during the opening of their new office space last week, Party Interim President, Peter Kenilorea Jnr says the duty is on the Prime Minister make this call.
“I think it is very important otherwise people will see this as politically motivated. Because a lot of these things comes back to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister nominates and the Governor General appoints.”
Kenilorea Jnr says for the SIUP they have a few changes in their manifesto that they would like to make known but they cannot do so until such time their political party is registered.
“We want our work to be carried out in accordance with the country’s laws thus we cannot promote what our Party has because we are yet to be officially registered.”
In the Electoral Act 2018, a couple of the reasons for the current amendments that directly affects the political parties are; to increase the membership of the Electoral Commission to five members, which will also deal with the registration of political parties currently undertaken by the Political Parties Commission under the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014 and the other is to establish a new position of Commissioner of Elections as the administrative head of the office responsible for elections and will also act as the Registrar for Political Parties under the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014.
Kenilorea says United Party has already submitted their application but because of the new changes, their application is still lying there.
He says though they have an office space, the party’s work will rely heavily on the approval by the Commissioners before they can start working on the making their party a legitimate body as well as carry out awareness on their manifesto.
During the interview, SIUP interim President also make known the step down of businessman Adam Bartlett to contest the small Malaita seat.
Earlier it was anticipated that Mr Bartlett will contest the National General Election under the SIUP banner.
However due to family obligations, Bartlett will not be contesting this time round but is strongly supportive of the Solomon Islands United Party and has been instrumental in securing an office space for the Political party and is a current member of the United Party.
“Anybody can be a member. Our constitution is quite flexible. But we will wait until we are properly registered before we can go public with our party policy,” Kenilorea Jnr says.
At the same time, he said that he wants to see Electoral Commissioners be seen as an independent body and not one functioning under any of the Government’s Ministry.
He said he is gravely concerned on the independence of such an important function in the country’s operation but hopes that in the future, this can be delved into.
He also said SIUP is wary of the limited timeline they have in order to be registered as a political party as well as the amount of work needed to be done before the NGE in early 2019.
He said it is very important the commissioners are installed as soon as possible.
Island Sun understands that once the Governor General announces the registration date, no political parties should be allowed to register to contest in the upcoming NGE under the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014.
Kenilorea Jnr said he is quite skeptical about independent candidates contesting the NGE but hopes that in the long run, people will be more attuned to political parties then individual candidates.
