Forum leaders asked not to smoke in Palau

Transcript

Health authorities on Palau have asked Pacific Island Forum leaders to lead the way and not smoke during this week's summit.

The programme manager of non-communicable diseases in Palau, Edolem Ikerdeu, says several health initiatives are being promoted, including a request not to smoke, and a morning walk for the leaders on Wedneday in the main street of the capital, Koror.

Ms Ikerdeu says the walk will be led by Palau's president, Tommy Remengesau.

She has told Hilaire Bule that the organising committee of the summit is ensuring leaders will only be eating healthy food during their stay in Palau.

EDOLEM IKERDEU: I would say that we are very fortunate that this current administration, especially President Tommy Remengesau Junior, is really at the forefront in advocating for NCD prevention and control in the Republic. So it is in line with the position that Palau has taken at the Pacific Islands Forum, the statements made in Palau's position paper really reflects what the President believes in and this side activity really just reaffirms what he wants the nation to do in terms of coming together as a community, whole of government, whole of society approach to combating these NCDs. We have some water bottles, some towels to give away that morning from the secretariat of the Pacific communities, some partners in the community and MoH to promote healthy living, active living.

HILAIRE BULE: What about the food or smoking, will it be allowed?

EI: For the entire PIF we made Ministry of Health and partners made recommendations so for the entirety of the meetings we recommended that we have this physical activity with the morning President to promote of course active living. We also recommended healthy eating, so we put out dietary guidelines for Palau to all the vendors responsible for preparing the food for all the meetings including the use of environmentally friendly products, we try to stay away from styrofoam but we have to consider that Palau is limited in resources so if we really have to use such materials as plastics to try to make sure that there's segregation, recycling at the sites. Also communique was sent out from the PIF sec. to declare all Pacific Islands Forum meetings tobacco free.

HB: Next week, the leaders in this summit, they will not smoke.

EI: Communication was sent to all the delegations so yes, at the Pacific Islands Forum meetings there shouldn't be anyone smoking or chewing  tobacco.