The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) intensifies its campaign against the ill effects of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.
Aside from promotion and public awareness, the MMDA also provides technical assistance to the 17 local government units, (LGUs) in the development of policies, capacity building, communication strategies, and monitoring of compliance.
The agency noted that the US Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) stated that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and that even brief exposure can cause immediate harm.
It added that non-smoking adults who are exposed to second-hand smoke at home or at work have a 25 percent to 30 percent increased risk of developing lung cancer.
Results of the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) showed that the exposure to secondhand smoke in homes and public places has “significantly declined,” with the largest decrease in exposure to secondhand smoke occurring in public transportation—from 55.3 percent in 2009 and 37.6 percent in 2015 down to 12.2 percent in 2021.
The survey stated the exposure to secondhand smoke in homes also declined from 54.4 percent in 2009 to 34.7 percent in 2015 to 21.4 percent in 2021.
In the workplace, it also decreased from 22.6 percent in 2009 and 21.5 percent in 2015 to 12.9 percent in 2021.
Former Health secretary Jaime Galvez Tan said the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not set aside its commitment to address the immeasurable harm of tobacco use.
“While the results of the 2021 DOH GATS underscore the immense progress the Philippines has made, the Marcos Jr. government must not waiver in its commitment to address the immeasurable harm of tobacco use. As such, the government must continue and sustain the implementation of proven measures to reduce tobacco use,” said Dr. Tan, who is also a trustee of HealthJustice Philippines.
Among these are: “enacting further increases in tobacco excise tax, institutionalizing the smoke-free policy, strictly regulating e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, imposing plain packaging on tobacco products, and prohibiting tobacco advertising and sponsorships.”
Despite the decrease in number on the exposure to the secondhand, the MMDA said they will continue with their activity on tobacco control:
•Assists in the promotion of smoke-free environment policy and public awareness on the effects of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke. MMDA also provides technical assistance to the 17 local government units (LGUs) in the development of policies, capacity building, communication strategies and monitoring of compliance.
• Access Restriction to minors on the sales of cigarette within 100 meters of school vicinity.
• Advocacy on public transport terminals by giving short orientation on the danger of smoking to health to Public Utility drivers and operators.
• Implementation of 100 percent smoke-free workplace policy in compliance to Civil Service Commission Memoranum Circular No. 17 series of 2009.
Tobacco control advocates, meanwhile, are also pushing for the passage of the smoke-free law.
“Now is an opportune time to pass House Bill 5315. Smoke-Free laws have been shown to reduce smoking initiation and exposure to secondhand smoke. We call on our leaders to pass this legislation and protect the policy-making process from any interference from the tobacco industry,” said Dr. Ma. Victoria Raquiza, co-convenor of Social Watch Philippines.
HB 5315, also known as the Smoke-Free Environment Bill, authored by Kalinga Partylist Irene Gay Saulog, aims to institutionalize the smoking ban in public places as defined by Executive Order 26. This will ensure that a singular definition of areas where an absolute ban on smoking shall be observed across the country.
The bill also prohibits indoor designated smoking areas (DSAs). This shall be in compliance with the country’s commitment to the World Health Organization – Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) to promote the right to health of workers and people in enclosed spaces.
Based on 2020 Pulse Asia Survey, 93% of Filipino adults support a policy that will ban smoking in all public places.
