“ One could talk till one is red in the face about the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol but no one will take it seriously until one starts to cough and wheeze , by then it's too late . The fight to prevent the upsurge of death by non communicable diseases is a hard one . First of all people refuse to believe that tobacco and alcohol can harm ones health and does not want a reduction in the use of both , plus physical inactivity , unhealthy diet all contribute to heart and lung diseases , cancers and diabetes . The last two are the biggest killers . Taxes on soft drinks , alcohol and tobacco are a powerful response in the fight against obesity resulting in premature death and illnesses due to abuse of these products . It's unfortunate but due to lobbying of Government caucus by tobacco companies and donating money to find a cure for cancer but at the same time also donate funds to people in Government key positions who are willing to ignore the danger sign and just let the killing go on . How hypocritical can one be ? Tobacco companies spends millions on advertising its products than , turns around and give a pittance for cancer research . Being a couch potatoes in front of the idiot box is not health promoting either , drinking to access is another way of relaxing in the grave , and to top it all off EATING ! lip smacking , mouth watering , finger licking food one enjoy eating soooo much that one eats ones self to death . What a way to go . Yes increase tax on these products to decrease the death toll and health issue from its abuse . The important thing is to keep reminding the populace of the debilitating effect of the aforementioned products due to long term use and the burden to both Government and society as a whole . The people of the Pacific need to heed the warning and go back to the old way of life , people were healthier back than , they were smoking tobacco leaves which have not been steeped in chemicals , drank kava not alcohol and went to the bush and sweat it off , ate healthy food cooked in the umu drank coconut juice instead of fizzy drinks , Now days we drink too much , eat too mush unhealthy food , smoke like a chimney and very lazy . EARLY GRAVE ? ”