DOH pushes for graphic health warning on cigars

MANILA, Philippines - Health Secretary Enrique Ona assured the people yesterday that the Department of Health (DOH) will continue advocating the printing of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs even if House Bill 5727 or the sin tax reform bill for tobacco and alcohol products is passed.

Ona said graphic warnings on cigarette packs would boost the government campaign to reduce tobacco consumption in the country.

“We are still pursuing it. We have not changed our position,” he said.

Maricar Limpin, executive director of Framework Convention on Tobacco Alliance Philippines, said graphic warnings are vital to the anti-tobacco campaign because this could make smokers quit the habit.

Limpin added that those who are planning to start smoking, on the other hand, would be discouraged.

“We need to use effective measures to reduce burdens from tobacco use,” she said.

Graphic warnings pertain to photographs depicting the ill effects of smoking on the body.

The strategy is contained in the World Health Organization-initiated Framework Convention on Tobacco Control wherein the Philippines is one of the signatories, and in Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

The DOH is also pushing for the passage of HB 5727 to increase the so-called sin taxes on tobacco products to hike the prices of cigarettes.

The department believes that the measure will primarily benefit the youth and the poor who are the targets of cigarette companies.