WHO urges Philippine business groups to join campaign vs smoking

MANILA, Philippines — The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged businesses in the Philippines and other countries in Western Pacific to support a new campaign intended to establish smoke-free workplaces in the region. 

Dubbed “Revolution Smoke-Free,” WHO Regional Director for Western Pacific Shin Young-soo said the program is aimed to make everyone free from tobacco smoke in and out of their workplaces. 

“A smoke-free workplace is not a privilege, it’s a global standard…This campaign highlights the importance of protecting (employees’) health and the bottom line through a commitment to creating a smoke-free environment in the workplace,” he noted in a statement.

According to the WHO, tobacco kills seven million people around the world each year, including 890,000 non-smokers who are exposed to tobacco smoke and in the region, three people die every minute due to tobacco.

This is entirely preventable with strong smoke-free laws in place, Shin said.

However,  only nine out of 27 member-states in the WHO Western Pacific Region have adopted comprehensive smoke-free laws covering all public places and workplaces, leaving hundreds of millions of people vulnerable to second-hand smoke.

WHO has traditionally targeted governments to adopt and enforce smoke-free laws, but even with the best understanding and intentions, strong opposition hinders the passage of effective laws.