Le blog de Véronique Le Clézio

Mauritius: 25% Excise Tax increase on tobacco

Please congratulate the Minister of Finance Hon. Pravind Jugnauth:[email protected]

and the Minister of Health of Mauritius Hon. Mrs Hanoomanjee:[email protected] 

Véronique Le Clézio is officially awarded the WHO Director General Special Award

Below is my report of this ceremony that took place in Mauritius on August 2d. Here is a link to my acceptance speech for a tobacco-free Mauritius.

World No Tobacco Day 2010

There was a national demonstration in Mauritius to celebrate the World No Tobacco Day 2010. The Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation-Mauritius, colleges of girls , NGOs and ViSa participated in the 'march' and the newly elected Minister of Health Honourable Maya Hanoomanjee adressed the public with great conviction and assured that she was determined to encourage tobacco control. An associate member of ViSa, Jean-Claude, testified as a 'survivor'. Smoking has left him with just one third of his lungs...

Interview with L'EXPRESS about World No Tobacco Day

Source: L'Express Weekly, Interview by Touria Prayag

Port Louis — Véronique, your name in Mauritius has become synonymous with antitobacco lobbying.What is your feeling today (Monday) on World No Tobacco Day?

That is flattering! Indeed, I feel great solidarity with all those who are committed to bringing a better quality of life to all through their fight for a tobacco free world.

Would you say that this country has made progress in its fight against tobacco smoking?

Mauritius is now referred to as an example for successful tobacco control in the region and in the world. The tobacco regulations of the Public Health Act were amended in 2008 to protect the health of the population from tobacco smoke by introducing strong measures like smoke free public places and workplaces, as well as gory graphic health warnings on cigarette packs.

VISA-Mauritius President, Véronique Le Clézio announces VISA will not attend the IDRC meeting in Dakar

Véronique Le Clézio commends ATCA's decision not to attend the meeting and seconds it by announcing the Mauritian NGO will not go to Dakar, stating that  "IDRC, the organizer of this meeting of Dakar has hidden for years the real identity of its Chair Ms McDougall who was CSR at BAT... IDRC is totally disqualified for tobacco control and for any health and poverty reduction agenda."

Following the courageous stand of ATCA, ViSa has the honor to announce that it chooses to turn down the invitation to the would-be tobacco control meeting of Dakar that will take place from April 20-22, 2010.

Mauritius: $130K from the Bloomberg Initiative to enforce smoke-free regulations

The project aims to achieve 100% smokefree environments in Mauritius in accordance with Article 8 of the FCTC and the national legislation of 2008. It will: strengthen the enforcement of smokefree regulations; increase awareness of the regulations and respond to public information needs; mobilise key groups to increase support and facilitate enforcement; monitor and evaluate the impact of smokefree mobilisation.

Country: Mauritius, grantee Ministry of Health and quality of life.
Focus: Smokefree  Amount: $130,000  Start Date: Mar 2010   End Date: May 2011

Source: Bloomberg Initiative Map

Tobacco anarchy at Dutyfree Mauritius March 2010

While the 4th session of Intergovernmental Negotiation Body of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on a Protocol on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products is taking place in Geneva, Mauritius flouts the tobacco law.

Interview with the Minister of Health

Interview by Touria Prayag

Source: L'Express