Gov't optimistic of reducing smoking through warnings on tobacco products

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government expressed optimism today that it could reduce smoking in the country with the recent enactment of law providing graphic health warnings on tobacco products.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona said the Philippines is the latest developing country to follow other nations in requiring pictorial health warnings.

"We now join the group of Brazil, Singapore and Indonesia that have implemented similar laws on graphic health warnings. This development brings us closer to our dream of a cleaner air and a healthier people," he said.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's approved the Republic Act No. 10643 or An Act to Effectively Instill Health Consciousness through Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products last Friday.

Cigarette smoking is known to cause emphysema, lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The law requires cigarette manufacturers to use half of a cigarette pack's display area for pictures showing the ill effects of smoking.

The graphic health warnings should appear on the lower portion of the front and back panels of the cigarette packs. The law also provides 12 different versions of the graphic health warnings, to be changed every two years.