World No Tobacco Day-Medics’ role in tobacco control underscored |01 June 2005

According to health principal secretary Maurice Loustau-Lalanne they can achieve this through information, education, counselling sessions, advice and guidance related to the consequences of tobacco use.

PS Loustau-Lalanne, who said that health professionals should be “the example that a healthy society reflects upon”, was speaking at a ceremony on Tuesday May 31 (afternoon) at the Victoria Hospital to mark World No Tobacco Day.

This year’s theme for the day was “Health Professionals in Tobacco Control.”

Stating that this year’s theme incorporates well with the health workers’ role and commitment to address the national and global tobacco epidemic, PS Loustau-Lalanne said that health professionals have plenty of opportunities to help people change their behaviour and stop smoking.

He also talked about the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ no-smoking policy which will be launched soon, to promote a smoke-free environment within the ministry’s premises.

While thanking the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its constant support and contribution towards tobacco control in Seychelles, PS Loustau-Lalanne said that tobacco use here requires a coordinated approach for control and reduction, and without the help of key stakeholders, it would not be possible.

“Let us today intensify our efforts to implement all the necessary actions to control tobacco use in Seychelles. May all citizens, authorities and institutions strengthen measures to promote a no-smoking environment that will benefit the health of both non-smokers and smokers alike,” he said.

Before Mr Loustau-Lalanne’s remarks, the Minister for Health and Social Services, Vincent Meriton, other health professionals as well as representatives from other social partners listened to presentations on the global as well as local trends in tobacco use.

WHO Liaison Officer, Dr Rui Gama Vaz talked about the global trend while nursing
officer Unit for the Prevention of CCD Barathi Viswanathan presented papers on the prevalence of smoking in Seychelles.

During the ceremony Mr Vijay Patel presented 10,000 car stickers with tobacco-free messages to PS Loustau-Lalanne, who then handed them over to Flavia Contoret from the Seychelles Licensing Authority.

These stickers, she said, will be issued to drivers when they pay their road licences.
Then those present had the opportunity to view an exhibition depicting issues related to tobacco.