The government in Papua New Guinea is to introduce sweeping measures to outlaw smoking in public places.The new laws are expected to face widespread community opposition in a country where
tobacco consumption is a national pastime.
A recent survey found more than 70 percent of households in Papua New Guinea contained at least one smoker, while another study showed more than half of children aged between 13 and 15 smoke.
Health advocates have despaired at such alarming statistics, especially among teenagers. But, now the government is to intervene.
Smoking in public will be outlawed and manufacturers will also be stopped from making packets of tobacco containing five cigarettes, which experts say are most popular among the poor and the young.
