Ministry of Health and Medical Service wants to see a smoke free society in Solomon Islands.
This came after high number of population, especially youths and women have engaged in smoking, which can caused heart attack, stroke and cancer.
Others are exposed to second hand smoking, which they inhale it from someone’s smoke.
Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Tenneth Dalipanda said in the last two months the price of cigarette had increased by 10 percent from $30 to $40.
Mr Dalipanda said the slight increase is to make it unaffordable for smokers to pursue cigarettes.
He said another option to prevent people from taking smoke is to implement the Tobbacco Control Act.
“The Act will prevent people from selling single cigarettes and not sell cigarettes within town area.
“We will work together with World Health Organisation (WHO) to recruit a police officer to impose these rules,” he said.
Meanwhile, the increase of prices has also affected other products like rice and betel-nuts.
It is believed the fluctuation of betel-nuts price, where customers in Honiara have to pay one nut for $2 or $3 was caused by low supply of the products from suppliers.
Acting Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Commerce, Industry Labour and Immigration, James Apato said increase of price is normally done on certain goods on the lists under the Price Control Act.
He said the ministry does not carry out an increase wildly but on certain goods only.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
