rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Non-government organisations
The Vanuatu Association of NGOs (VANGO)
represents Vanuatu on PIANGO. In 2006
VANGO commented on drugs issues in Vanuatu,
calling for more treatment options.
The Vanuatu programs of Save the Children
Australia, the Foundation of the Peoples
of the South Pacific International (FSPI)
and the Police Department Young People’s
Project, along with Wan Smol Bag Theatre
and other community-based organisations
(e.g. churches, Chiefs), all have responsibility
for awareness raising around substance use
issues. 999 A delegate from FSPI participated
in the 2009 PDARN meeting. In 2009 the
Wan Smol Bag Theatre is due to release Season
2 of the regionally popular Love Patrol
series, which includes themes such as HIV,
sexual and reproductive health, and substance
use issues.
Regulation
In 2003, Vanuatu was assisted in the development
of an alcohol policy by SHORE,
though it is not clear if there have been
further developments in this policy. In 2008
the legislature considered changes to the
advertising and promotion, marketing and
sales of tobacco. The new Act provides the
opportunity for positive change in the management
of consumption via regulation; this
may have the potential to extend regulation
to the supply of alcohol and kava. In July
2009 the Ministry of Health scheduled a review
of narcotics control legislation and requested
assistance from WHO to develop an
updated alcohol policy, scheduled to take
place in late 2009. 1000
In February 2008, Vanuatu announced that
it was ready to trade under the PICTA. 1001
The result will be a reduction in import
duties on goods from other PIFS countries.
Such agreements have the potential to limit
the autonomy of Pacific countries in regulating
the supply of alcohol imports via taxes.
With respect to alcohol, there is a Liquor
Sales Ban limiting sales of alcohol at certain
times of the year, e.g. leading up to Independence
Day. In addition, there is currently
an imported Alcohol Excise Tax (in addition
to VAT) set at 5 per cent. 1002 The legal drinking
age in Vanuatu is 18 years. 1003
201
999 Above, fn.954.
1000 Personal communication, 2009.
1001 Vanuatu ready to trade under PICTA. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, press statement,
29 February 2008. Available at:
(accessed February 2009).
1002 Above, fn.954.
1003 International Center for Alcohol Policies, Minimum Age Limits Worldwide: table available at:
(accessed July 2009).
Vanuatu