The high cost of cigarettes, liquor in PNG

 DRINKING alcohol and smoking cigarettes are becoming common among the younger generation, including schoolchildren. 

One does not need to do research or study rocket science to substantiate this.

Law and order problems arise from alcohol consumption. And we continue to put the blame on homebrew and marijuana. 

Factory-made alcohol contributes toward social issues such as wife-beating, rape, murder, armed robbery, traffic accidents. The list goes on. 

Those husbands who squander their wages on gambling do it while consuming factory- made liquor. 

When they lose, the result invariably, is wives get beaten up and kids go hungry. 

Working class men lure schoolaged girls with factory-made liquor. Not homebrew.

What is the difference between drunkenness from homebrew and factory-made liquor? 

And cigarettes. What good is it to a consumer and his health?

If the Government is serious about the welfare of its citizens, it should shut down these factories or ban their import.

Yes, the tax paid to the Government will be missed. Jobs will be lost. 

But we don’t need such items that contribute to the nation’s health bills being imported or made in this country.

And talking about reducing tuberculosis – smokers are the most vulnerable to the disease. 

Why do we still entertain this rubbish on our shop shelves? 

Do away with it and people will quit the habit. 

The little government warning sticker attached to the cigarette packets saying “Smoking is dangerous to your health” has no meaning. 

Prime Minister, you quit  driniking liquor this year. Help those of us who don’t have the willpower to quit by banning the sale and production of this stuff. 

Nimini Uku, Via email