EDITORIAL - World No Tobacco Day

The world has become increasingly smaller for cigarette smokers in the past decades, as the health risks posed by tobacco became known. Smoking has been banned on almost all commercial flights and confined to special rooms in most international airports. Several cities in advanced economies have imposed a total ban on smoking in all public places.

In the Philippines, smoking in commercial establishments and other public places has been banned in Metro Manila and other areas. All cigarette packs are required to display a prominent warning about the health risks posed by smoking. Cigarette advertising has also been banned.

Still, the battle against the disease needs to be waged relentlessly. Studies conducted by the World Health Organization show that smokers aren’t the only ones at high risk of developing tobacco-related diseases. WHO records show that over 600,000 people die each year of illnesses caused by second-hand smoke, with 165,000 of the fatalities children.

WHO studies show that in 2004, second-hand smoke led to 379,000 deaths due to ischemic heart disease, 165,000 from lower respiratory inspections, 36,900 from asthma and 21,400 from lung cancer. Of the 603,000 deaths from second-hand smoke recorded in that year, women accounted for 47 percent; children, 28 percent; and men, 26 percent. Among the children, the deaths occurred in the first few years of life.

Those grim statistics should strengthen the resolve of governments to intensify measures to curb smoking. With May 31 marked as World No Tobacco Day, the Philippine government can review the WHO’s Tobacco-Free Initiative. In Metro Manila and other areas, enforcement of the smoking ban needs to be tightened. Supervisors of shopping malls, dining places and other commercial establishments should take it upon themselves to improve the enforcement of a measure that promotes public health.

In this effort, chronic smoker President Aquino cannot provide the necessary leadership by example. In the name of public health, however, he must support initiatives and issue directives that will spare others, especially children and other non-smokers, from the potentially fatal hazards of smoking.