President Duterte To Sign Executive Order Against Public Smoking
An anti-tobacco group is urging President Rodrigo Duterte to
sign an executive order (EO) banning smoking in all public places across the
country to fulfill a promise he made.
“We appeal to our dear president, who we know is an ardent
anti-smoking advocate, to please sign the smoke-free Philippines EO now. Each
day of delay would bring your people closer to becoming victims of the ills of
smoking like me as well as those who are not even smoking,” New Vois Association
of the Philippines President Emer Rojas, a former chain-smoker who lost his
vocal cords due to cancer, said in a statement.
Rojas said the EO would, in particular, help protect non-smokers
from second-hand smoke. He also said it would help save Filipinos, especially
the youth, from smoking-related illnesses.
He cited the Tobacco Atlas of 2016, which shows 14.5% of
Filipinos aged 13 to 15 and 23.8% of adults smoke regularly.
Records show an estimated 240 Filipinos die from
tobacco-related diseases daily.
Aside from banning smoking in public places, Rojas said the
EO would be the perfect complement to already existing tobacco control
measures, specifically Republic Act No. 10351 (Sin Tax Law) and Republic Act
No. 10643 (Graphic Health Warning Law).
Earlier, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said the President,
who has buergers disease, is more than willing to sign the EO. Buerger’s
disease is an ailment linked to heavy smoking.
The EO closely follows the smoking ban implemented in Davao
City where Duterte was a long-time mayor.
President Duterte To Sign Executive Order Against Public Smoking
Reviewed by Yen
on
November 29, 2016
Rating:
Post a Comment