Ifugao folk to Noynoy: Chew 'moma' instead

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines –  The Ifugaos have suggested an alternative for president apparent Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s smoking - chewing betel nut.

Known popularly as moma or betel nut chewers and often the butt of jokes for their “red lips” from chewing the palm tree fruit, the Ifugaos told Aquino to avoid smoking by shifting to moma.

Betel nut chewing is common in the highlands, especially in Ifugao. It is a widely accepted alternative by people addicted to smoking who wants to quit the habit.

There has been no report of cases of cancer in the Cordillera caused by moma, but the health department here has warned of an increasing number of individuals facing the risks of lip and lung cancer due to smoking.

Betel nut (areca catechu) is a psychoactive drug of the Asian continent, popular in the South Pacific islands, Southeast Asia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and has been used extensively since antiquity.

Betel nut is chewed regularly by at least 10 percent of the world population, and acknowledged as the fourth most widely used addictive substance.

People chew it for stress reduction, feelings of well-being, and heightened awareness. But betel nut chewing has also been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Users believe that it is a stimulant and soothes the digestion.