Groups support DOH order mandating graphic warning on cigarette packages

MANILA, Philippines – Local and international groups have expressed support for an administrative order of the Department of Health (DOH) that mandates the printing of graphic warning signs on cigarette packages as part of the country’s aggressive policy against smoking.

Dr. Domilyn Villareiz of the Thailand-based Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance said that public health warnings and messages are more likely to be noticed when they vividly show the health risks of tobacco use and will increase the motivation and intention to quit smoking.

“Moreover, this will increase the awareness of smokers who cannot be reached by the information dissemination programs of the government especially the children, the young people and those who will not be able to understand test warnings,” Villareiz added.

In separate letters of support, the groups said the issuance of AO 2010-0013 is highly commendable. They said that it is time for the Philippines to adopt and implement effective packaging and labeling measures, considering the rising number of Filipinos who die of tobacco-related diseases.

The AO is in compliance with Philippines’ legal obligations as a member of the World Health Organization that signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the first international treaty on public health.

The DOH was forced to issue the AO due to the failure of the House of Representatives and the Senate to pass pending bills that seek to require picture-based warning signs.

Executive director Dr. Maricar Limpin of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines said the AO would expose the truth behind the glamour and social status that the tobacco companies intend to project in various forms of tobacco packaging.

Limpin said the order “upholds the fundamental human rights to health and access to information, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas concerning health.”

The members of the Boston-based Corporate Accountability International claimed that they support the DOH’s order since tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable deaths, “killing more than five million people each year.”

The group said the figure is expected to increase to some eight million people, “with 80 percent of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.”

“Graphic health information is one key element of a comprehensive approach to tobacco control and implementation of the FCTC. Such measures contribute to improve cessation rates while increasing awareness of the negative health impacts of tobacco,” it maintained.

The other groups that expressed backing for the DOH are the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Philippine College of Physicians, the Ateneo School of Government, Grand Coalition Against Corporate Greed, Nurturers of the Earth, Children for Breastfeeding, Critical Care Nurses Association of the Philippines, New Vois Association of the Philippines Inc., Thailand-based Action on Smoking and Health Information, Uruguayan Centro de Investigacion and Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association.

Senator defends Noynoy’s smoking

Sen. Francis Escudero urged the public not to pressure presidential frontrunner Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to stop smoking.

“Those giving him advice on this mean well and I believe that he also wants to, but in his own time. These things cannot be dictated,” Escudero, himself a smoker, said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said he had advised Aquino “stop smoking long ago” for the good of his health.

Aquino said he would no longer debate about his smoking habit, pointing out that he ran and won with the people knowing that he was a smoker.

He said that he could finish a pack of cigarettes a day, and the most that he did was three packs due to tension during the snap elections in 1985. His brand is Marlboro Lights menthol.

“At the appropriate time, I will stop. So long as I am within the law and I don’t inconvenience other people, I think this is part of the little freedom left for me,” Aquino said.

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral called on Aquino last Tuesday to quit smoking for his own sake and as an example to the nation.

Interviewed by reporters in Angeles City in Pampanga where the Cabinet meeting was held, Cabral said it is Aquino’s choice to quit or not but he should keep in mind that smoking is bad for the health and he will soon be at the center of public attention.

Bishop Warlito Cajandig of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro said Aquino should follow the lead of US President Barack Obama who has made a conscious effort to cut down smoking.

Cabral admitted that quitting smoking is easier said than done, considering that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances around.

“Every person is entitled to do what he wants to do. We were, of course, hoping that he would heed the advice of physicians because smoking is bad for the health, not just of the person but of the people around him,” Cabral said. –Shiela Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) with Cristina Mendez