World Hypertension Day Urgent appeal: Quit smoking

MANILA, Philippines - Quit smoking now for your and your loved ones’ sake.

This was the appeal issued by leading research-based healthcare company Novartis Healthcare Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) and major medical societies as the country joins the global observance of World Hypertension Day (WHD).

“Smoking is a major cause of health problems among Filipinos, including hypertension, heart attack, stroke, cancer and lung disease. The government and private sector must work together to help smokers quit this life-threatening vice,” said DOH Secretary Enrique Ona.

“Smoking can increase a person’s heart rate by 10 to 20 beats per minute and blood pressure by 5 to 10 mmHg. Quitting smoking is crucial in restoring cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Romeo Divinagracia, president of the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH).

“Smoking is a major risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among Filipinos. Of the almost 14 million Filipinos who have hypertension, about four million are unaware they have the condition and only a little over a million are able to control it. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, among others,” said Dr. Saturnino Javier, president of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA).

“Smoking is the primary cause of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a serious and irreversible lung disease that interferes with normal breathing. Quitting smoking is the cornerstone of COPD prevention,” said Dr. Celeste Mae Campomanes, president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP).

According to the Philippine Global Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in 2009, one in three Filipinos (28.3 percent) aged 15 and above is a smoker. Eighty percent of current smokers smoke daily. On average, men smoke 11.3 cigarettes per day and women seven cigarettes.

“The cost of purchasing cigarettes and healthcare expenses for smoking-related diseases worsen poverty. World Hypertension Day provides the ideal platform to consolidate smoking cessation initiatives in the country,” said Aniceto Sobrepreña, executive director of GT Metro Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a culture of good health and wellness among underprivileged Filipinos.

“We are privileged to work with our partners in raising awareness on the life-saving benefits of quitting smoking,” said Thomas Weigold, country president and managing director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

WHD 2013 marks the fifth consecutive year Novartis Healthcare Philippines has collaborated with the DOH and major medical societies in commemorating this global event. In line with this year’s WHD theme “Healthy Heart Beat — Healthy Blood Pressure,” Novartis and its partners launched the “I QUIT” video message contest. Going beyond conventional smoking cessation strategies that highlight the adverse health effects of smoking, the innovative contest utilizes a personal and emotional approach.

Contest participants are asked to make a 30- to 90-second video urging their loved one — a family member, relative, friend, partner — to quit smoking. There are also categories for video testimonials of persons who successfully quit smoking and video messages of smokers who are making a commitment to quit.

The complete contest mechanics are available on www.novartis.com.ph.

“Our loved ones are powerful motivators. By pulling on smokers’ heartstrings, we hope to encourage more Filipinos to stop smoking,” Weigold said.