The increasing prevalence of vaping, particularly among young people was something Pacific governments needed to take seriously says the Chief Executive Officer of the Pasifika Medical Association Group, Debbie Sorensen.

She highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue, drawing parallels between vaping and smoking, stressing that "putting anything into your lungs that is not natural is bad," especially given the high levels of nicotine found in many vaping products.

"While we're a bit short on evidence to confirm the long-term effects of vaping, what we know is a lot of vaping products have high levels of nicotine, so it's as bad as smoking," Sorensen said.

To combat this growing health challenge, Sorensen emphasized the importance of adopting multifaceted solutions. She pointed to successful strategies in smoking cessation efforts, highlighting the effectiveness of public health campaigns, legislative measures, and taxation policies in curbing tobacco use. 

Mrs. Sorensen advocated for increasing the price of vaping products, noting that higher costs would make these products less accessible to young individuals.

"The more the price goes up, the less accessible it is," Mrs. Sorensen stated.

Moreover, she underscored the significance of framing discussions around health in a broader context, emphasizing the importance of promoting longevity, wellness, and family life to deter harmful behaviors like vaping.

"It's about changing how people think about things," she added.

Mrs. Sorensen also spoke about the collaborative efforts of the Pacific Health Association Group, which advises multiple countries in the region on healthcare initiatives. 

She highlighted ongoing discussions on healthcare delivery models, mental health initiatives, and workforce development projects, emphasizing the importance of sharing successful strategies and lessons learned among countries.

"Sharing lessons is really important; learning from other countries can inform policies and practices," Mrs. Sorensen explained.

Mrs. Sorensen discussed upcoming forums and meetings where health issues will be elevated to high-level government positions, stressing the need for collective action among countries in the region to address pressing health challenges effectively.

Mrs. Sorensen was amongst Pacific health leaders participating as an advisor to many countries as the medical association is involved in working in six countries in the region.

They discussed matters including the New Zealand Medical treatment scheme, which is delivered in Samoa as well as five other countries in the Pacific, and many other health challenges.