On 28 November 2017, Catherine Byrne (Minister of State) and Dr Tony Holohan (Chief Medical Officer) signed an open letter to the Taoiseach, all Government Ministers and all heads (Secretaries General) of Government Departments.  The letter reminded the Ministers and Secretaries General of the nation’s obligation, as a WHO FCTC Ratifying Party, to implement strict and transparent interactions between the government and the tobacco industry.

The Tongan Ministry of Health launched a 6 weeks campaign called Tuku Ifi Leva (Quit Smoking Now) starting on 5 October 2017. The graphic campaign showing the risks of tobacco use including cancers and other diseases will run on TV, radio, press, as well as Facebook.

The website of the campaign is available at: www.tapuifitonga.com.

The campaign is also offering advice and expert support to smokers willing to quit through a newly established toll-free quitline.