Lina prods LGUs to ban smoking by the youth

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. has exhorted all local government units to expedite the passage of ordinances that will ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors.

In issuing Memorandum Circular No. 2002-71, Lina cited the need to support the Youth Smoking Prevention (YSP) program being implemented by the government and some members of the private sector.

In December 2001, the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation (SKNF) and the Philippine Jaycees Inc. (PJI) partnered with Philip Morris Philippines Inc (PMPh) in the implementation of a nationwide YSP program.

YSP was aimed at generating awareness among the youth about the health hazards of cigarette smoking. The program has accompanying components to ensure that minors would be discouraged from smoking.

In celebration of the "National Youth Week" on Dec. 10, 2001, PMPh and the Jaycees supported the filing by more than 100 SK chapters all over the country of a uniformed ordinance that will prohibit the purchase and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to persons below 18 years old.

Lina said health authorities have identified youth smoking as one of the current health concerns of society today that needs immediate attention. Thus, Lina enjoined all provincial governors, city mayors, municipal mayors and other concerned officials to "cause the immediate enactment of ordinances prohibiting the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to persons below 18 years of age."

Lina also encouraged the local chief executives to implement YSP programs in partnership with socio-civic organizations to ensure the success of the anti-youth smoking campaign of the government.

All DILG regional directors were directed to cause the immediate and widest dissemination of the memorandum circular to all local government units within their regional assignments.