rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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hospital accident and emergency departments
are encouraged to counsel or refer alcoholrelated
injuries. It is not clear if these services
are limited to Rarotonga. This needs to be
further explored with local counterparts.
Non-government organisations
CIANGO is the umbrella organisation for
NGOs in the Cook Islands and represents
the Cook Islands on the Pacific Islands Association
of Non-Governmental Organisations
(PIANGO). CIANGO has a broad membership
base including women, youths, churches,
uniformed organisations, traditional groups,
and the Chamber of Commerce. No specific
mention of drug and alcohol interventions
is made, but this organisation provides a potential
framework for the development of
future interventions. 178
Regulation
Recent news reports indicate a move toward
increasing taxation and regulation of alcohol
and tobacco. 179 Currently taxes are calculated
per litre depending on the alcohol content of
the product, with higher taxes for imported
beer. 180
In 2006, the Cook Islands moved to abolish
the majority of customs levies, with levies
remaining on the four major imports into
the Cook Islands: alcohol, tobacco, fuel, and
motor vehicles, along with levies on some
smaller imports, soft drinks and vegetables
(seasonal levy). 181 In 2007, a report considering
the impact of trade reform on revenue
described the result of an import levy of 20
per cent applied to what are termed ‘luxury’
or ‘sin goods’, such as alcohol, cigarettes and
cars. In addition, an excise tax is also imposed
on these items. 182 The price inelasticity
of these types of goods was seen as positive
in maintaining and increasing revenue.
178 PIANGO, available at: (accessed May 2009);
an email was sent to CIANGO (with no reply as at May 2009).
179 Cook Islands raises taxes in cigarettes and alcohol, June 2008. Available at:
(accessed
May 2009).
180 ADB above, fn.140.
181 Cook Islands tax reforms: report to 17th Tax Conference, ADB Institute, Tokyo, 8–11 October
2007. Available at: (accessed May 2009).
182 N. Soni, B. Harries & B. Zinner-Toa (2007), Responding to the Revenue Consequences of Trade
Reforms in the Forum Island Countries: final report. Port Vila: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.