The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors an Addiction Recovery Program that is available to those of any faith or denomination. The program helps individuals overcome addictions, including smoking.
According to LDS.org, “Some people consider addictions to only be bad habits that can be conquered by willpower alone, but many people become so dependent on a behavior or a substance that they no longer see how to abstain from it.”
The Tongan Ministry of Health estimates that 46% of Tongan men and 13% of Tongan women smoke.
The Ministry is educating the country on the many dangers that are associated with smoking.
In its recently announced “Tuku Ifi Leva” (Quit Smoking Now) campaign, the Ministry encourages Tongans to stop smoking. Supported by the Australian government, the World Health Organization and the Tonga Health Promotion Foundation, the six-week campaign is intended to reduce the percentage of Tongans who smoke.
The campaign commenced 5 October, 2017 and will run for six weeks throughout the Kingdom of Tonga.
One source of support for Tongans wishing to give up smoking is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Addiction Recovery Program, a faith-based 12-step program which fosters recovery and healing.
For more information about addiction recovery meetings in Tonga contact:
LDS Family Services
Welfare Centre, Ma'ufanga
Phone +676 23455 ext: 122/Mobile +676 786-3012
More governmental information to assist in quitting smoking can be found here.