A report released recently by the Consumer Council of Fiji delved deeper into the current landscape of tobacco control in Fiji, with a particular focus on a distinct challenge — suki, a tobacco product traditionally consumed in the country. In the report titled Smoke Signal: Understanding the Drivers of Suki Consumption in Fiji 2024, the council states the Tobacco Control Act (2010) lacks clarity regarding the regulations applicable to suki. Whether suki falls under the Act’s advertising bans, labelling requirements, and health warning provisions remains unclear. This ambiguity creates a loophole that hinders efforts to regulate suki and raise awareness about its potential health risks.
Age of suki consumers
The survey results show a significant gender disparity in suki use, with 70 per cent of respondents being male and 30 per cent being female. The survey showed a varied age distribution among respondents. The largest proportion, 26 per cent, fell within the 25 to 34 age range. This age group are particularly susceptible to peer pressure and social norms surrounding suki use, said the report. Public health campaigns could target this group with messages highlighting the negative consequences of early suki use and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. The report states following closely behind were the 18-24-year-olds at 16 per cent. This age group are more established in suki use habits. Cessation programs tailored for young adults, addressing dependence and offering support mechanisms, could be beneficial. The 35-44-year-olds at 21 per cent. The remaining respondents were more evenly spread, with 19 per cent between 45 and 54 years old, states the report. These established suki users have stronger dependence and potentially face challenges quitting due to ingrained habits. “Public health initiatives could focus on the long-term health risks and offer support systems for those seeking to quit — 18 per cent above 55 years old. This age group might have a long history of suki use. Public health campaigns could target them with awareness messages about the health consequences of long-term suki use and encourage them to seek medical advice if needed,” states the report.
Consumption patterns
The data on suki consumption habits in Fiji reveals some interesting trends and potential reasons behind them, states the report. A significant portion (12 per cent) of respondents reported starting suki use within the last year. This suggests a potential rise in suki consumption, which requires further investigation. The report states the largest group (36 per cent) has been using suki for one to three years. This could indicate several possibilities, which being shift from cigarettes, with many suki users are former cigarette smokers. “This group represents individuals who transitioned to suki in the past few years due to factors like affordability or perceived lower health risks. This group represents those who recently experimented with suki and are continuing use,” states the report. A substantial proportion (60 per cent) of respondents have been using suki for at least 5 years (24 per cent for 5-10 years and 28 per cent for more than 10 years). This indicates a well-established pattern of suki consumption in Fiji, states the report.
Frequency of usage
The survey found daily use of suki at 53 per cent, This high percentage indicates a concerning level of dependence among suki users in Fiji, states the report. Daily use suggests a strong habit that can be challenging to overcome without proper support. Public health initiatives should prioritise promoting smoking cessation and provide readily accessible programs with relapse prevention strategies, the report states. These programs can offer guidance on managing cravings, coping mechanisms to avoid triggers, and social support networks to help individuals stay quit. There was a long-term use of 26 per cent respondents having usage for over 10 years. “This finding suggests entrenched habits that might have developed over a significant period. Long-term suki use increases the risk of developing severe health complications. Public health campaigns should target this group with messages emphasising the long-term health consequences of suki use, such as respiratory problems, heart disease, and even oral cancer,” states the report.
Location
The finding that 59 per cent of respondents are from rural areas highlights the higher prevalence of suki use in these communities. The report states this could be due to limited access to commercially manufactured cigarettes with rural areas having fewer shops selling cigarettes, which may also be more expensive. “Suki is a more readily available alternative and has stronger cultural influences, certain cultural practices or social gatherings in rural communities involve suki use. Public health campaigns should be culturally sensitive and explore potential collaborations with community leaders to address suki use within the cultural context,” states the report.
Access and affordability
The survey results paint a concerning picture: a staggering 83 per cent of respondents reported finding it very easy to obtain suki. The report states this ease of access stems from the unregulated nature of the suki market. Suki is readily available in canteens, dairy shops, and markets, creating a constant presence in Fijian communities. “This ubiquity poses a significant challenge for those trying to quit suki. Every corner store, every social gathering, becomes a potential trigger, making it difficult to resist temptation and maintain cessation efforts. The ease of obtaining suki makes it highly likely for individuals to encounter triggers during their quit attempts,” states the report. This constant exposure can lead to cravings and increase the risk of relapse, hindering long-term success in quitting. Knowing suki is readily available will discourage some individuals from even attempting to quit. The perception that quitting will be extremely difficult due to constant temptation can lead to feelings of helplessness and a lack of motivation to initiate cessation efforts, states the report. The easy availability of suki can make it difficult for support systems like families and friends to effectively help individuals quit. The report states the constant presence of temptation can undermine their efforts to encourage and support quitting behaviour. “Traditional cessation strategies that emphasise avoiding triggers and maintaining a smoke-free environment become less effective when suki is so readily available. This necessitates exploring alternative strategies for managing triggers in a suki-saturated environment.”
- This is part one of a two part series on the findings in “Smoke signal: understanding the drivers of suki consumption in Fiji 2024”.
