Passive smokers urged to ‘take a stand or die’

"If you don’t smoke, make a stand or die."

This was the call of anti-smoking advocates as they warned that passive smoke is six times more toxic than first-hand smoke.

Dr. Encarnita Limpin, president of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines, said that non-smokers should learn to stand against smokers if they want to protect themselves.

Limpin noted that being around a smoker could take a toll on one’s health because the smoke produced is deadlier.

"I think that we should assert that a smoker’s right to smoke is surpassed by the right of non-smokers to a healthy life," she told a press briefing to commemorate "World No Tobacco Day."

According to Dr. Mario Joselito Juco, vice president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, the burning portion of cigarettes produces more toxic substances.

Juco added that for a non-smoker to live or stay with a smoker for 24 hours, "it would be like smoking four cigarettes a day."

"And if you eat at a restaurant that has smoking and non-smoking sections without a physical barrier, and stay there for around 2 hours, it’s like smoking two to three cigarettes," he claimed.

For Dr. Jessica de Leon, program officer of the anti-tobacco campaign of the Department of Health (DOH), smoking is a "silent disaster" that needs to be addressed soon.

De Leon called on local government leaders to come up with a comprehensive ordinance against smoking, in accordance with the Republic Act No. 9211, also known as the "Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003."

Yesterday’s briefing was attended by several athletes, winners of the Miss Philippines-Earth beauty pageant, and actor and producer Ronnie Rickets and his Bakbakan Group.

They affirmed their commitment to support campaigns against tobacco by leading a cigarette-free life, and by participating in advocacy activities.

Health Undersecretary Margarita Galon maintained that there is no such thing as "safe and hip" smoking when science is clear that tobacco is the leading cause of five million preventable deaths worldwide.

"Even non-smokers and unborn children are dangerously exposed to the 4,000 deadly chemicals in a cigarette," Galon stressed.