Smoke-Free Albay Network partake the Run for Fun Lung and Tobacco Control Summit

LEGAZPI CITY – Smoke-Free Albay Network (SFAN) delegates join the Run for Fun Lung held on March 29 at the Liwasang Ulalim, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay city.

The ADD+VANTAGE staff with Ms. Divine Abondo, FCAP
 and Mr. Danny Alfonoso

Around 2,000 anti-smoking advocates played a part in the “Run for Fun Lung“ organized by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines(FCAP) and the Philippines College of Chest Physicians(PCCP) for this year’s World No Tobacco Control Day celebration last May 31.

May 31 marks the 21^st World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) with the WHO/FCTC as the theme of this year’s annual celebration. Created in 1987 by the member states of the World health Organization (WHO), the occasion has been observed around the world, drawing global attention to the prevalence of tobacco use and its lethal effects, and advocating for effective policies to reduce consumption.

Dr. Ma. Encarnita B. Limpin, PCCP President said people are suffering from tobacco-related diseases. They are victims of lung cancer, stroke and any other coronary diseases for the reason they entice to an aggressive cigarette smoking promotion and advertising.

Limpin also stressed that the government can discourage smoking by imposing cigarette taxes. She reiterated that smoking ban along Metro Manila is now strictly implemented effective May 30, 2011 .

Anti-smoking advocates appealed to President Benigno Aquino III certify as a priority measure, the bill raising taxes on cigarettes. She reiterated that there is a need to pass the bill as the raising cigarette prices would be an effective method to discourage smokers.

Authorities in Manila announced a drive to strictly enforce a smoking ban in public places across the metro manila peninsula and transform into a Smoke-Free community.

The FCAP revealed that the passage of House Bills 3465 and 3489 would be Aquino’s gift for the yearly World No Tobacco Day Celebration.

The House Bill 4365 seek a unitary excise tax system and indexation of tobacco excise tax inflation, while HB 4389 provides for an increased and unitary tax rate which shall be adjusted annually to present values using the consumer price index

Once the bills become law, the price for one cigarette packs would increase from P30 to as much as P55 per pack. The effective means to deter the young from smoking is to increase in prices. And this can be done if our legislators will be able to reform the tobacco tax system.

Moreover, a tobacco Control summit was also conducted May 30 at the Gateway Suites, Araneta Center, Quezon City which aims to facilitate information sharing on tobacco prevention and cessation, countering tobacco industry marketing strategies, and learns the best practices from local experiences in creating smoke-free community.

Professor Marilyn Lorenzo, FCAP President said “that non- smokers advocate need to show their strength and get to know our partners across the different parts of the country. And focus as well as train our effort in tobacco taxation, and keep our people more healthy.”

Pauline Jean Ubial, Assistant Secretary of Department of health (DOH) disclosed the agency has a very limited budget for anti-smoking advocacy.

“The political will for the Local Government Unit Smoking Ordinance in their locality and promote 100% smoke-Free Environments,” ASEC Ubial added

Professor Solita Monsod, University of the Philippines' Professor Emeritus recalled the meeting wherein former Department of Health(DOH) secretary opposed raising sin taxes because of how it would impact the poor.

“You feel “na kawawa naman ung mahihirap,” but once they start smoking, they affect their families, and their health,” she said.

Monsod further said the government should increase revenues and decrease the consumption of tobacco. She also challenged the attendees and asked the doctors present to start telling their colleagues to quit from smoking for the reason that according to the industry reports, nearly 30 percent of doctors in the Philippines are smokers themselves.

Monsod urged smoke-free advocates to do their part in the group advocacy and encourage the people to send text message to radio stations, and it’s going to be read by commentator.

“We don’t have resources and financial capacity to pay for our smoke-free advocacy for advertisement so what we can do is to get the contact numbers of radio stations and we take our battle to the people and let them put the pressure to their mind and hearts, she added.

Instead of saying “Kawawa naman ang mga magsasaka,” provide them an alternative livelihood or income generating project except tobacco farming.

Dr. Oscar Tinio stressed that Philippine Medical Society issued a memorandum circular that ordered doctors to quit smoking. “If people see something wrong with the doctors which should not be then they will do the same thing.”

Atty. Edu Balgos, of the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya announced that their province is receiving a higher excise tax from tobacco after it was declared as 100% Smoke-Free province.

He mentioned that the provincial government took the million pesos share from the Tobacco to finance alternative works of the displaced farmers in the province.

In another development, Smoke-Free Legazpi City reaped top 5 award of the country’s smoke-free cities in the Red Orchid Search for 100% Smoke-Free government offices, Hospitals and Local Government Units(LGU) categories in connection with the “World No Tobacco Day Celebration” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Pasig City.jopay/