With all due respect to the NCD national adviser Dr Isimeli Tukana, I couldn’t believe what I was reading when he said that grog drinking is not linked in any way to NCDs (FT 25/4).
Over the years, because of grog abuse by some Fijians, there has been a move from the Government, churches and the Ministry of Health for Fijians to go easy on grog drinking.
But with this declaration, I guess the civil servants should disregard the directive from the top for public offices to be grog free, churches can lift all the grog bans and the Ministry of Health should not be mentioning the word grog, kava or yaqona in its health promotions to the public.
I for one cannot drink grog without smoking cigarettes and I hate myself for polluting my body calling for a good wash down every now and then.
Looking back, I can say with confidence that all my current health problems (NCDs) are associated with or sparked by my grog drinking days.
As reported, there has been no research made linking grog drinking to NCDs but I urge all Fijians to use common sense, taking into consideration the health problems suffered by some Fijian grog addicts.
