The Ministry of Health (M.O.H) donated $26,143 tala to the Pacific Games Committee on Friday to push the smoke-free campaign during the Pacific Games, starting on Sunday.

Minister of Health, Faimalotoa Kika Stowers, presented the cheque to the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, and the Pacific Games C.E.O., Falefata Hele Matatia.

Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, said the Ministry hopes to use the Pacific Games to drive the smoke-free message to help the athletes.

"This is the big smoke-free campaign and we have discussed that we can use the Pacific Games to promote the message because anyone who wishes to become a better athlete has to stop smoking," he said.

"So the idea is to use the publicity of the Games to drive the message and the Pacific Games is being called the green games and it's being promoted as plastic free and environmentally free so to be true, it should also be smoke free."

The idea behind the campaign was generated from the smoke free campaign in schools. 

"This is not only important for the athletes but also the students because they idolise the athletes and their inspiration will be driven from the athletes if they see that they don't smoke," Leausa said.

According to Loau, the money will be divided among schools that promote smoke-free campaigns during the Games.