DOH to push for passage of law on graphic health warnings

MANILA, Philippines - After the sin tax law, the Department of Health (DOH) will push for the passage of a bill pending in the Senate that would mandate the placing of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs.

Anthony Leachon, consultant of the DOH for non-communicable diseases, said they strongly support Sen. Pia Cayetano’s call for the approval of Senate Bill 3283 or the proposed picture-based health warning law before Congress adjourns.

“DOH will push for the passage of graphic health warnings and support Metro Manila Development Authority on its no smoking campaign in public places. We will ride on the momentum of the sin tax law approval and try to change the environment leading to a healthier Philippines,” he said.

Under the bill sponsored by Cayetano and Sen. Franklin Drilon, the text warning on cigarette packs will be replaced by graphics showing the ill effects of smoking.

Leachon believes that the graphic health warnings “will deter the youth and the poor from starting to smoke with pictures of complications of smoking.”

The Philippines is a signatory to the World Health Organization-initiated Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires parties to implement large, rotating health warnings on all tobacco product packaging and labeling.

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines executive director Maricar Limpin lauded Cayetano “for endlessly working for effective tobacco control measures.”

Limpin urged President Aquino to certify the bill as urgent “as he showed proof of pro-health governance with the passage of sin tax and reproductive health laws.”