Reversal of court rulings on graphic warnings in cigar packs sought

MANILA, Philippines - Five former health secretaries asked the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to overturn the orders of two lower courts stopping the Department of Health (DOH) from requiring tobacco firms to place photographs depicting the terrifying effects of smoking on cigarette packs.

In a motion for intervention, former health secretaries Esperanza Cabral, Francisco Duque III, Alberto Romualdez Jr., Jaime Galvez-Tan and Alfredo Bengzon backed the petition of Health Secretary Enrique Ona for the SC to uphold the legality of Administrative Order 2010-0013.

Last year, the Marikina and Malolos Regional Trial Courts stopped Cabral from implementing the order.

The five former health secretaries marched to the SC from the Philippine General Hospital to show their support for Ona’s petition.

The photographs will show images of rotting lungs and breast and throat cancer.

The DOH order also prohibits cigarette manufacturers from using misleading words like

“mild,” “light,” “ultra-light,” and “low tar” on their products.

Speaking to reporters, Cabral said they are confident the SC would allow their bid “to join in this fight for the truth and support the DOH to do its job.”

Petitioners said the SC must accept their motion, considering the case involves the fight against the “deadly tobacco epidemic.”

Enforcement of the AO would save the lives and health of millions of Filipinos and defray the devastating economic costs of smoking, they added.

The petitioners said at least 35,000 Filipinos die every year due to tobacco-related diseases.

It has been proven that picture-based warnings on cigarette packs have made a huge impact on smoking worldwide, they added.

Mighty Corp. secured an injunction from the Malolos court.

Fortune Tobacco Corp. was able to get a similar order from the Marikina court.  

Secretary Ona was advised yesterday against being “too soft” on cigarette firms.

Dr. Maricar Limpin, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines executive director, said they want to see Ona take a firm stand on the issue of cigarettes and smoking.

“We still expect something more from the DOH,” she said.