Anti-tobacco group seeks ban on sidewalk cigarette vendors

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines (FCAP) asked Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday to ban ambulant cigarette vendors because they encourage cigarette smoking.

But FCAP clarified that before doing this, Lim should provide these vendors alternative livelihood “that does not involve the sale of tobacco products.”

“Sidewalk and ambulant vendors are the most accessible sources of cigarettes. Because they sell… by the stick, it makes cigarette products very affordable even to the youths,” said FCAP executive director Dr. Maricar Limpin.

She noted such a ban would help limit the access to cigarettes in Manila, bolstering the implementation of Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act.

FCAP also urged Lim to implement the ban on the sale of cigarettes in stores within a 100-meter radius from schools, parks, playgrounds and other places of youth-oriented activities.

Citing records of the Department of Health and the World Health Organization, Limpin said that around 240 Filipinos of smoking-related diseases every day.

She said the revenues the government collects from tobacco is not enough to cover expenses incurred in treating those with smoking-related illnesses.

Limpin added that in 2005 and 2006, the government earned P92 billion from tobacco but some P276 billion were spent for these patients with lung cancer, heart attacks, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.   – Sheila Crisostomo