There are an estimated 1.2 billion regular smokers in the world today, approximately one third of the global population over the age of 15, and the numbers are rising (World Health Organization 2002). Studies show that many smokers still do not know that tobacco causes disease and premature...

The Global Tax Program Health Taxes Knowledge Note Series focuses on topics linked to implementation of health taxes, or excise taxes on tobacco, alcoholic drinks and sugar-sweetened beverages. The purpose of this series is to provide policy makers with an overview of relevant issues and...

The World Bank's 11 Pacific Island member countries are a diverse group in terms of economic and social conditions. Five are least developed countries, with annual per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as low as US$ 700, while in some of the territories average incomes are comparable to those...

This note provides guidance on planning, prioritizing, and accessing appropriate capacity for Public Financial Management (PFM) reform in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). It is intended for use by government officials, donor agencies, and consultants. It complements, and is consistent with,...

This guide has been written to assist anyone interested in running small stationary diesel powered engines on coconut oil. It is intended to be a 'how-to' guide to provide with relevant information of every aspect of fuelling an engine with coconut oil. The guide is specifically written with...

There are three main messages running throughout this report. First, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) can impose large health, financial and economic costs on countries. This is particularly important in the Pacific where Government already finances, and provides, the bulk of health services....

The Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are highly vulnerable to natural and climate-induced hazards and this vulnerability is likely to increase over the coming decades. Climate change and natural hazards will have repercussions on coastal development, water supply, energy, agriculture, and health,...

This regional economic report, evaluates the strategy that the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) have chosen towards liberalizing their economies, and, analyzes as well the interaction of trade liberalization with complementary reforms in taxation, and the public sector. As a consequence of...