A bill proposing the banning of all tobacco products was introduced to lawmakers on the small Pacific Island of Niue. Niue, while a self-governing nation, has a free association with New Zealand. This means New Zealand handles most foreign relations and the New Zealand head-of-state is the Niue head-of-state. Niue has a population of 1,300 with about 250 smokers.

 

Tobacco companies and other commercial interests are expected to oppose the bill that would ban the public and private use of tobacco.

 

“Small countries are allowed to be ambitious. If a small country can do this, then big countries will start thinking. Imagine what that means,” said Dr. Sitaleki Finau, Niue’s top public health official.