So here goes. Palau is listed among many countries in the world as a strong advocate for a tobacco free earth – as I see it. Over the years, campaign drives to raise public awareness of the effects of tobacco products on the health of individuals to the costs that the effects could potentially have on our public health system – and the whole nation, for that matter – have been extremely and positively successful.
The success of these drives has led to enactment of legislations that regulate the sale and use of tobacco products and as some businessmen have indicated, “ridiculously high tax rates and stringent requirements.”I think all of the effort put to fight against the sale and use of tobacco products in Palau is commendable and rightly, should be celebrated.I enjoy going to restaurants and visiting government offices and buildings that are “smokeless and smoke free” – devoid of first hand, second hand, and even third hand smoke, if there is such a thing. Maybe you and I could start a drive to put filters on tail pipes of diesel-fueled vehicles. Would you like to know what kinds of chemicals you could potentially breath when you drive behind a diesel- fueled vehicle that is going uphill? I can tell you that the smoke that comes out of said vehicles can at times be blinding.But I’ll leave that for you to mull over – I have issues with implemented tobacco mandates.To be fair, I have very limited understanding and knowledge about tobacco tax rates and mandates that govern businesses that sell tobacco products. However, I do know of statutes that prohibit the sale of any tobacco products to persons less than 19 years of age and I do know of tax increases that essential jacked up the prices of tobacco products.The statutes, as amended, clearly stipulate that individuals who are less than 19 years of age are legally not allowed to purchase or use tobacco products – a fine line to be written in a report or said in a speech at a forum or conference somewhere other than Palau.There are many people who are less than 19 who are allowed to purchase and use tobacco products – in plain sight of most of us. All the stores in Palau that sell “elaus” – a pre-packaged version of betel-nut condiments – have “unknowingly” broken the law at least few million times. Maybe we were all not aware of it.In addition to selling “elaus” – not to be mistaken with a drive a few years back that proclaimed “Elaus without” – many of the small stores are now selling sticks of cigarettes for as much as 25 cents per stick. If tax is collected for every pack of cigarettes imported and that the packs are supposedly sold at $3.00 per pack, who is cheated when the cigarettes are sold individually?I think our leaders should look into the tobacco laws again and again and that those who enforce the laws be more diligent – make some arrests and if necessary, close businesses that do not adhere to the laws.I think you and I both understand that “nothing is perfect” and the fight against tobacco has not been either. Be as it may, the fight has been taxing for all concerned because you and I have been busy keeping the hands of our children out of our betel-nut baskets; and they walked into the stores unnoticed.
