Bishop calls for stricter enforcement of ban on cigarette sale near schools

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday pushed for the stricter implementation of city ordinances that prohibit the selling of cigarettes near schools.

Father Conegundo Garganta, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Youth, issued the call as the number of young smokers in the country continues to grow.

Last March, the National Youth Commission reported that two out of five Filipinos aged 13 to 15 years old are smokers, with smoking among young people estimated at 38.2 percent or 2.25 million last year. This is higher compared to 27.3 percent recorded in 2007, and 19.6 percent in 2003, it said.

Many city ordinances have been issued to prohibit the selling of cigarettes within 100 meters from a school’s perimeter fence.

“This (retail sale of cigarettes) should have been done long ago. This should have been included in banning around schools practices and vices that expose the youth to vulnerability,” Garganta said in an interview.

Garganta said since a cigarette only costs around P2.50, students can very well afford to buy it.

The New Vois Association Philippines, a group of cancer survivors, backed Garganta’s call and asked the government to impose higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol products.

The House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 5727 or the “sin tax” bill but it has not been officially transmitted to the Senate.

“They will not only save money from avoiding unhealthy practices (like smoking) but they will also save their health and precious life,” he said.

Asked if slashing their allowance will help curb smoking among young people, the CBCP official said it may not be that effective.

“Even with less money, since the youth are resourceful, they will still have access to the things that makes them vulnerable. There has to be strict implementation of policies to create a supportive environment that will protect the youth,” Garganta said.