Board members warn vs smoking

CEBU, Philippines - After the death of their presiding officer due to lung cancer, the Provincial Board of Cebu (PB) is warning the general public on the high risks that incessant smoking brings.

The Board recently approved the resolution embodying the said warning sponsored by Board Members Arleigh Jay Sitoy and Sergio Restauro, who chairs the committee on health.

“The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu deems it appropriate, therefore, to warn the public against the ills of smoking in order to abate the rising number of lung cancer cases in Cebu,” Sitoy said.

Sitoy, in his resolution, cited a report from the Eduardo Aboitiz Cancer Center that in 2007, lung cancer was among the top five most common cancers for all ages in Metro Cebu.

It was further reported that there are 17, 238 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in the country each year and that 15,881 died due to lung cancer.

The late Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. was diagnosed with lung cancer sometime in February this year and died last April 29.

Before his death, now Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, when she assumed in acting capacity, posted inside the office of Sanchez a provincial ordinance penalizing any person smoking in public utility vehicles/conveyances, movie houses and any other public place.

Magpale noticed the smell of smoke inside the airconditioned office of Sanchez.

Incidentally, Magpale sponsored Provincial Ordinance No. 93-7 which was enacted by the PB headed by then vice governor Apolonio Abines, Jr. on March 29, 1993 and was approved by then governor Vicente dela Serna on April 14, 1993.

Violation of said ordinance shall be meted a fine of not less than P500 but not exceeding P5,000 or imprisonment of not exceeding one year or both at the discretion of the court. (FREEMAN)